What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
The PIC stated the low fuel warning light was illuminated prior to takeoff. Approximately six minutes into the accident flight, during straight and level cruise, the aircraft started to yaw left with a notable engine sound change and decreasing rotor RPM. PIC stated he could not maintain altitude and executed 180 degree auto rotation to a grass field. Aircraft landed hard breaking the left landing gear attachment tubes and the aircraft rolled onto its left side. No injury to pilot and one passenger.
As the FAA filed it
THE PIC STATED THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. APPROXIMATELY SIX MINUTES INTO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, DURING STRAIGHT AND LEVEL CRUISE, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO YAW LEFT WITH A NOTABLE ENGINE SOUND CHANGE AND DECREASING ROTOR RPM. PIC STATED HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND EXECUTED 180 DEGREE AUTO ROTATION TO A GRASS FIELD. AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD BREAKING THE LEFT LANDING GEAR ATTACHMENT TUBES AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. NO INJURY TO PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.