What was found
WHILE HERDING CATTLE AT 75 FEET, AGL. PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND ROTOR RPM DECREASED AND ENGINE RPM INCREASED. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED GROUND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. INVESTIGATION OF THE NOISE REVEALED THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BROKEN AT CABLE END SWAGED BALL. THIS CABLE ASSEMBLY IS NOT INSPECTED UNTIL THE 400-HOUR EVENT FOR DAMAGE. RECOMMEND A TIME-LIMIT REPLACEMENT OF 1,200 HOURS. THE 400-HOUR INSPECTION CALLS OUT FOR DISMANTLING OF THE CLUTCH ASSY FOR COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE CABLE.