Background
A pilot had completed approximately 20 seeding runs using a helicopter fitted with a seed bucket suspended by three 40-foot-long lines. The landing zone for each run was the same. During each landing, the bucket touched the ground first, then the pilot maneuvered the helicopter backward and set down with the bucket positioned in front.
Flight Sequence
After two ground crew members filled the seed bucket, they moved away to avoid rotor wash. One crouched behind a rock; the other stood near the seed bags with his back to the helicopter. As the helicopter began to lift off, one of the three lines attached to the seed bucket looped over the right skid. The helicopter continued to gain altitude, and the seed bucket started to tip, spilling seed.
Accident
Witnesses located about 50 yards downhill from the landing zone reported that the pilot appeared to have difficulty controlling the helicopter as it climbed and moved forward. The helicopter continued into rising terrain and struck a 45-degree slope in a nose-down attitude with a slight right bank.
Post-accident Inspection
Examination of the helicopter after the accident revealed that the pilot had jettisoned the external load, and the hook release at the belly of the helicopter had activated before the collision. However, one of the lines remained entangled around the right skid.