Fuel exhaustion involving a Robinson Helicopter Co R22 BETA, VH-BAG, 6km SW Longreach, Aerodrome, QLD on 17 October 1996

The helicopter was in level flight at 500 ft above ground level and nearing it's destination when, without warning the engine stopped. The pilot conducted a forced landing into a clearing, damaging the right skid. Post flight inspection revealed only a small quantity of fuel in both tanks. The pilot later confirmed that the helicopter had run out of fuel. He said he had been "pushing" a headwind and had flown a higher indicated airspeed to maintain a reasonable ground speed. He was surprised that the actual fuel consumption was 38 Litres/hr instead of the 32 he planned on. He also said that the Fuel Low warning light was unserviceable and that the fuel gauges were inaccurate.