# NTSB SEA97LA119: Garlick UH-1H, N95NW, Lolo, MT, May 22, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1997, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lolo, MT
- Coordinates: 46.729076, -114.359603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7291&lon=-114.3596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA119

## Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported that his fuel gauge showed 150 lbs of fuel remaining and he decided to move a large stump prior to landing. As he was hovering about 150 feet over the stump waiting for the stump to be hooked up, the helicopter suddenly lost power.  He made a tight spiral down to the service landing area, but landed very hard.

## Factual narrative

On May 22, 1997, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, N95NW, a Bell UH-1H, sustained substantial damage when it lost power and landed hard near Lolo, Montana.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan filed.  The flight had departed the same area about 1010.

The pilot reported that the fuel gauge showed 150 pounds and he decided to remove a large stump to the slash pile prior to landing.  The stump was situated approximately 40 feet from the service landing area.  As he was hovering about 150 feet over the stump waiting for the stump to be hooked up, the helicopter suddenly lost power.  He made a tight spiral down to the service landing area, but landed very hard.  The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions and listed the engine failure as "fuel exhaustion".  An FAA inspector who inspected the wreckage, stated that a total of about 1 and 1/2 gal of fuel was drained from the tanks.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N95NW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Garlick UH-1H
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 65-12871
- Engines: Lycoming T53-L-13B 1400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Northwest Helicopters
- Registered owner: Reynolds Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,197 total, 2,613 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19970522047969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970522047969A), May 22, 1997: Bell UH1H, Lolo, MT, Substantial damage. (-16) Hard landing followed engine failure and autorotation during FAR 133 logging operation. ASI from sea FSDO stated that fuel tanks contained one gallon of…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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