Accident Details
An instructional flight for recurrent training involved an external load operation using a 10-foot line. The helicopter was maneuvering to pick up an 800-pound load with slack in the line when the instructor observed the aircraft beginning to drift to the right. The instructor advised the other pilot to take corrective action.
Flight Sequence
The instructor believed that the other pilot applied left cyclic but also pulled up on the collective. The instructor reported that his own action was to pull the manual release and attempt a correction with the flight controls. The load did not release, and subsequently the helicopter rolled to the right, striking the ground.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed no preimpact airframe or engine failure. The external load releases, both electrical and mechanical, were checked and both operated normally.