Incident Overview
A helicopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot was engaged in cattle ranching operations when the engine sputtered and quit while the helicopter was at a low altitude. Despite the pilot's ability to clear trees and high brush, the subsequent hard landing resulted in the main rotor blades severing the tail boom.
Post-Accident Examination
A mechanic who inspected the wreckage reported finding water in the fuel tanks. An engine test run was performed, and the engine operated normally, indicating no pre-existing mechanical issues unrelated to the fuel contamination.
Damage Assessment
The helicopter's tail boom was severed by the main rotor blades during the hard landing. The extent of other damage was not specified, but the aircraft was described as substantially damaged overall.