Accident Hughes 269A N48930, Thursday 30 August 1984

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Thursday 30 August 1984
Time:	11:00 LT
Type:	Hughes 269A
Owner/operator:	Custom Air Service
Registration:	N48930
MSN:	1210033
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-C2D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Apple Springs, TX - 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:
AFTER DISPENSING A LOAD OF GELLED GASOLINE, TO BURN WINDROWS OF BRUSH, THE PLT LANDED & REFILLED THE CHEMICAL TANK. BEFORE TAKING OFF, HE CHECKED HIS FUEL WITH A DIP STICK & DECIDED THERE WAS ENOUGH REMAINING TO DISPENSE A 2ND LOAD. WHILE FLYING DOWNWIND & DISPENSING AT ABOUT 15 FT OVER A WINDROW, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE RIGHT SKID DUG IN & THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE USED TIME AS A MEASUREMENT OF FUEL INSTEAD OF COMPARING IT TO GEL USE. HE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 3 HRS WITHOUT REFUELING.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: