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R44 pilot reports seeing the low fuel warning light began to flicker 15 minutes into a 30 minute flight an elects to land in a field. The warning is found to be valid.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1067448 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201302 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Robinson R44 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 135 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Rotorcraft |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 800 Flight Crew Type 200 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Procedural FAR Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
I was approximately 15 minutes (and 8 miles from ZZZ) into the 30 minute tour when I saw the low fuel warning light begin to flicker. I immediately turned back towards the airport. I flew about two miles and made the decision that it was necessary to make a precautionary landing in a field that I was familiar with from doing tours the previous summer. I successfully landed the helicopter with the engine running normally with no anomalies; damage; or injuries. Prior to my departure I had determined that there was ample fuel on board to meet the flight requirements plus the required reserve amount fuel. Post maintenance evaluation showed that there was less fuel on board than I had calculated; thus leading to the low fuel indication. This event has led me to change my practices in fuel estimation and allowances in all activities. In the future I will absolutely exceed the minimum requirements for fuel and allow for at least an extra 15-20 minutes. This is something that I take very seriously; and assume the responsibility for.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: R44 pilot reports seeing the low fuel warning light began to flicker 15 minutes into a 30 minute flight an elects to land in a field. The warning is found to be valid.
Narrative: I was approximately 15 minutes (and 8 miles from ZZZ) into the 30 minute tour when I saw the low fuel warning light begin to flicker. I immediately turned back towards the airport. I flew about two miles and made the decision that it was necessary to make a precautionary landing in a field that I was familiar with from doing tours the previous summer. I successfully landed the helicopter with the engine running normally with no anomalies; damage; or injuries. Prior to my departure I had determined that there was ample fuel on board to meet the flight requirements plus the required reserve amount fuel. Post maintenance evaluation showed that there was less fuel on board than I had calculated; thus leading to the low fuel indication. This event has led me to change my practices in fuel estimation and allowances in all activities. In the future I will absolutely exceed the minimum requirements for fuel and allow for at least an extra 15-20 minutes. This is something that I take very seriously; and assume the responsibility for.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.