The pilot had planned to carry out a cattle muster in conjunction with another aircraft. He had been late in departing his base but when he found the other aircraft had not yet arrived at the rendezvous point he decided to make a quick comfort stop. The helicopter was landed on a spinifex covered area and the pilot disembarked leaving the engine running. Shortly afterwards he noticed a fire underneath the helicopter and reboarded in an attempt to fly it away from the fire. The engine did not respond. The pilot disembarked and attempted unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire. He received burns to his hands and legs while unloading equipment and the helicopter was destroyed.
