The Garlick Helicopters UH-1H was being flown in a firefighting operation on the Australian island of Tasmania, hauling an underslung water bucket to be used in extinguishing the flames, when the pilot released the bucket early and flew the helicopter to an open paddock, where it rotated, pitched nose down, and plunged to the ground. The pilot was killed and the helicopter was destroyed by the crash and subsequent fire.
Drive Shaft Failure
The loss of drive on a UH-1H Huey left the pilot of the firefighting helicopter unable to complete an emergency landing, the ATSB says.