Garlick OH-58A N305SD

Summary

On 31 July 2010 at about 17:15 local time, a Garlick OH-58A registered N305SD, operated by Coastal Air Service, was involved in an accident near Kountze, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 July 2010 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Kountze, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.4097, -94.2397

Aircraft

Garlick OH-58A

Registration

N305SD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Coastal Air Service

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kountze → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA455

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he normally fueled the helicopter with 200 pounds of fuel each time he loaded chemicals, which equated to approximately 30 minutes of engine endurance. During the flight he did not recall the 20-minute fuel warning light or any other warning lights illuminating. After what the pilot thought was about 15 minutes into the flight, the helicopter yawed from side-to-side and the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a quick-stop landing, severing the tail boom. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors found no fuel in the fuel line and only a half of a cup of fuel in the fuel filter. While the fuel tank had been compromised, there was no evidence of fuel in the surrounding area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.