The helicopter crashed approximately 1/2 mile from the Marshall County Airport while on a personal flight. Investigation revealed that the pilot, a doctor who specialized in emergency room procedures, commuted between hospitals located in three different cities. The pilot had been on call or en route between the three hospitals for 48 out of the 49 hours prior to the accident. After completion of a scheduled 12-hour shift at a West Virginia clinic, the pilot had trouble starting the aircraft due to a problem he identified as a sticking Bendix gear on the starter. During this time, the pilot said he was low on fuel and was going to Marshall County for fuel. The pilot had called the Marshall County Airport by telephone to arrange for fuel before departing. Investigative reconstruction of the pilot's activities, schedules, and associated refueling activities prior to the time of the accident indicated that there was an estimated 2 gallons of fuel on board the aircraft at takeoff.