Total power loss - Bell helicopter TH-1F, VH-LIQ, 56 km SE Tamworth Aerodrome NSW, 8 December 2009

On 8 December 2009, at about 1645 Eastern Daylight-saving Time,
a Bell Helicopter Company TH-1F, registered VH-LIQ, was conducting
aerial fire-fighting operations south-east of Tamworth, New South
Wales (NSW). On approach to a water source, the pilot in command
(PIC) noted a loss of engine power. The PIC reported that he
lowered the collective2 and rolled the throttle on; however, the
engine continued to spool down. The PIC manoeuvred the helicopter
to a cleared area and carried out an emergency landing. The
helicopter landed heavily and sustained serious damage. The PIC
sustained a fractured nose, while the other occupant (second pilot)
was uninjured.

At the time of writing this report, the reason for the total
power loss was unknown.