Bell 47G-2 N4771N accident near Charles City, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

The operator reported that prior to the accident flight the pilot was distracted during a refueling operation. The distraction involved ground personnel entering the helicopter cabin after landing to discuss the next spraying operation with the pilot. After the conversation, the pilot departed without refueling the helicopter. While completing an aerial application, the engine experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot initiated an autorotation, during which the helicopter impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom was partially separated and the landing gear skids were bent. The operator reported that approximately 3.5 quarts of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks, and 2 gallons of fuel were considered unusable.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA540 for the full record.