Originally Posted by
gulliBell
Impossible to know what the pilot was thinking...reporting one hour endurance just before running the tank dry. Maybe the engine going quiet the moment it did came as a surprise. I mean, if you know you're about to run out of gas, having the ability to safely land a helicopter anywhere it would fit would be a very appealing option. Rather than running it dry and ending up somewhere where it doesn't fit. Not much thinking going on I suspect, especially in the planning before the flight. No excuse for departing with less than a full tank of gas.
Sure looks as though the poor guy was entirely out of his depth if he mis-estimated his fuel reserve so badly. Clearly he had no idea that he was down to fumes. RIP