# NTSB Accident MIA97LA075
> **Aerospatiale SA315B** · 1997-01-25 · WHITEVILLE, NC, USA · NONE
## Event
- **NTSB number:** MIA97LA075
- **Event ID:** 20001208X07341
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-01-25
- **Location:** WHITEVILLE, NC, USA
- **Coordinates:** 34.320915, -78.700515
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** NONE
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 1
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Aerospatiale
- **Model:** SA315B
- **Registration:** N707EX
- **FAR Part:** 137
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The pilot's intentional operation of the helicopter with known deficiencies in equipment and a false indication of the fuel gauge, resulting in the total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.  Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance of the helicopter by company maintenance personnel, and unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.

---
*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=MIA97LA075) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*