THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FELT A SHUDDER WHILE HE WAS TAKING OFF WITH A LONG LINE ATTACHED. HE BEGAN A DESCENT, AND WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT 5 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, THE LONG LINE CAUGHT A TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE SNOW. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS SADDLE AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 10,200 FT. THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 20 KTS.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..HIGH WIND

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..GUSTS

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