Incident Details
According to a written report, a commercial pilot was conducting a flight with an external load on a long line, flying sideways downhill. The pilot approached a log landing area while in a turn and attempted to set the load down. However, the helicopter "seemed to keep going" and began to lose altitude. In response, the pilot lowered the collective and increased the throttle. The aircraft did not respond to these inputs. The pilot then maneuvered to avoid colliding with a loader and was successful. The pilot recalled "putting the ship down easy" but then stated that the helicopter suddenly "lifted over to the left and next I was undoing my seatbelt and climbing out of the pilot window."
Witness Account
A witness to the accident reported seeing the helicopter steadily lose altitude from a few hundred feet in the air. She then heard the engine quit, followed by the sound of impact a few seconds later.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the engine and a subsequent engine run revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure with the engine or related engine components.