Forced/precautionary landing involving a Bell 47G-3B1, VH-UTY, 6 km west of Caloundra (ALA), Queensland, on 2 February 1996

The helicopter was being used to spread fertiliser over a sugar cane crop. The pilot reported that he was forced to jettison the underslung spreading hopper when the engine failed, soon after lifting off with a new load. Due to its proximity to the ground, he was not able to manoeuvre the helicopter to avoid the hopper, during the autorotational landing. The helicopter came into contact with the hopper between the aft cluster and the lower tail boom support, bending these struts. The tail boom then flexed downward, and the tail rotor blades contacted the ground.

The pilot was not injured in the impact and was able to exit the helicopter safely.

Post flight examination revealed an uncontained failure of the engine compressor. Several compressor blades had exited through the compressor outer case. The pilot said there was no prior warning with all engine temperatures and pressures indicating normal. The investigation was informed that the compressor was refitted to the helicopter 41.8 hours previously, after maintenance repairs and inspection.