ATL94LA144

The commercial ag pilot was about 5 minutes into his flight when the engine lost power and quit. During the autorotation, the helicopter landed hard, and the tail boom contacted the ground. The pilot reported that he began the flight with about 10 gallons of fuel, which he measured with a dip stick that he carried in the cockpit. He stated that the expected fuel consumption was about 15 gallons per hour. The fuel system survived the accident intact. FAA inspectors found no evidence of fuel in the tank or in the lines. The fuel gauge indicated empty.

On July 24, 1994, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N4030S, was substantially damaged following an engine power loss and autorotation in Hephzibah, Georgia. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 by Custom Air Brewton, Inc. of Brewton, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight. The flight originated in Wrens, Georgia at 1255.

The pilot reported that he had completed spraying operations at one site, and was in transit to another field (an estimated 6 to 8 minute flight). He estimated his fuel on board to be about 10 gallons. He used a dip stick that he carried in the cockpit to gauge the fuel quantity. He also reported that the normal fuel consumption was about 15 gallons per hour. During low altitude cruise, about 5 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power and quit. An autorotation was attempted. The helicopter landed hard, and the tail rotor contacted the ground.

Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the helicopter. They reported that the aircraft fuel system was not damaged, and that there was no evidence of fuel in the tank or in any fuel line. The fuel quantity gauge indicated empty.