Accident Bell-Garlick UH-1H N95NW, Thursday 22 May 1997

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Date:	Thursday 22 May 1997
Time:	11:30 LT
Type:	Bell-Garlick UH-1H
Owner/operator:	Northwest Helicopters
Registration:	N95NW
MSN:	65-12871
Year of manufacture:	1995
Engine model:	Lycoming T53-L-13B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Lolo, MT - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
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.

Probable Cause: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel.

Accident investigation: