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.