Bell 206B, VH-XDM, Rudal River (320km E Newman) WA, 10 July 1990

The pilot reported that at approximately 150 feet after takeoff, the engine power began to reduce and the engine out warning sounded. An autorotational landing was carried out, during which the main rotor blades collided with the tail boom. Inspection of the engine and its components, indicated that a partially blocked fuel nozzle had caused uneven combustion which in turn, resulted in a loss of power output. The nozzle, which had been tested serviceable and installed in the engine one hour prior to the accident, was later found to contain a piece of foreign matter which caused an uneven spray pattern at high operating fuel pressures.