Bell 47-G2, VH-KHK, "Toorey Plains" 50 nm East of Balranald NSW, 1 March 1989

The pilot reported the aircraft had been flying for about two hours in low-level operations over his property. Shortly after placing the helicopter into a steep climbing turn the engine suffered a complete loss of power at a height of about 150 feet, and an airspeed of 30 knots. The aircraft was over scrub covered terrain. In the resulting forced landing the tail boom was severed by the main rotor and a landing skid was buckled. The pilot said there was an estimated 20 litres of fuel remaining but suspected the engine may have lost power due to fuel starvation as a result of the manoeuvres performed. This accident was not the subject of an on-site investigation. The information contained in this report was supplied by the pilot.