Beeping noise heard before helo went down

BELL 206BII, NEAR NHULUNBUY, AUSTRALIA, JUNE 5, 2002–About 4 p.m. Bell 206BII VH-PHA, operated by Laynhapuy Homelands Association of Nhulunbuy (Gove), Northern Territories, crashed while on an aerial survey mission about 87 nm southwest of Nhulunbuy. Four of the five people on board were killed, and the helicopter was destroyed.

VH-PHA was reported overdue, and an aerial search was initiated. The aircraft was located a day after the crash. Initial reports indicated that the helicopter hit a tree during an autorotation. The survivor reported hearing a beeping sound just before the quick descent and impact.