Fuel exhaustion Accident Hiller UH-12E Soloy N172ET, Sunday 12 March 1995

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Date:	Sunday 12 March 1995
Time:	15:30 LT
Type:	Hiller UH-12E Soloy
Owner/operator:	San Joaquin Helicopters
Registration:	N172ET
MSN:	HA-3072
Total airframe hrs:	3652 hours
Engine model:	Allison250-C20
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Five Points, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE SPRAYING A FIELD, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT STARTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN THE POWER RETURNED. THE PILOT THEN TURNED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD, BUT THE ENGINE QUIT. HE STATED THAT HE HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

Probable Cause: fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inattention to the fuel supply.

Accident investigation: