Primary finding
Probable cause
The ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot in the skid-equipped helicopter reported that he established a hover over a seeding bucket so that the ground crew could attach the bucket to the helicopter's cargo hook. One of the ground crewmembers grabbed the skid while trying to connect the bucket, and subsequently, the helicopter descended, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking ground equipment. The helicopter subsequently came to rest upright on top of a grass bale in front of the equipment. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot in the skid-equipped helicopter reported that he established a hover over a seeding bucket, so that the bucket could be attached to the helicopter's cargo hook by the ground crew. One of the ground crewmembers grabbed the skid while trying to connect the bucket, and the helicopter descended. The main rotor blades struck the auger on the seed tender. The helicopter came to rest upright, on top of a grass bale in front of the seed tender. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and the tail rotor drive systems. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.