What happened
A pilot and a photographer were conducting a traffic watch and photography flight when a request was made for the helicopter to land in a parking lot. The purpose of the landing was to deliver video tapes to a ground crew.
To assist with the maneuver, a relatively new ground observer was assigned to help keep the aircraft clear of obstacles. The pilot stated he had been informed that the chosen landing area was clear and noted that he had performed a high reconnaissance check for obstructions prior to the approach.
However, as the aircraft approached the landing site at dusk, neither the pilot nor the photographer identified power lines crossing the landing area. The helicopter's skids snagged the power lines moments before the aircraft crashed to the ground. The crew members were not injured.