Forced/precautionary landing involving a Robinson R22 Beta, VH-LOH, Keeroongooloo, 100 km south-east of Windorah, Queensland, on 26 April 1997

The aircraft had been operating on the mustering flight for about 45 minutes. With the helicopter at 70 feet above the ground and 50 kts indicated airspeed, the pilot reported that he had just commenced a climbing turn to approach a small mob of cattle when he heard a loud noise from the rear of the cabin. The engine oversped and the rotor speed decayed. A forced landing was conducted but the pilot was unable to retain adequate rotor speed to prevent a heavy landing.