The pilot was assisting stockmen to move cattle through a gate when one animal broke away. While manoeuvring to cut off the escaping animal, the helicopter struck a single wire power line which traversed the area. The power line was approximately 11 metres above ground level at the point where the collision occurred. The impact caused the main rotor to sever the tailboom and the helicopter fell to the ground and caught fire. The pilot was aware of the location of the power line and had been working in close proximity to it prior to the accident. This occurrence was not the subject of an on-site investigation. The information was provided by witnesses to the accident.
