What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Numerous witnesses reported that after a normal liftoff, the helicopter hovered with the longline fully extended as it maneuvered to hook up to the external load. A loud “snap” or “bang” was heard, and the helicopter “bucked”. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled right, entered a nose low descent and impacted the ground. Prior to impact with ground, the transmission and rotor head assembly departed the aircraft. At the time of transmission seperation, a main rotor blade severed the tailboom. Following the impact, a post-crash fire ensued, which consumed a majority of the helicopter.
As the FAA filed it
Numerous witnesses reported that after a normal liftoff, the helicopter hovered with the longline fully extended as it maneuvered to hook up to the external load. A loud “snap” or “bang” was heard, and the helicopter “bucked”. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled right, entered a nose low descent and impacted the ground. Prior to impact with ground, the transmission and rotor head assembly departed the aircraft. At the time of transmission seperation, a main rotor blade severed the tailboom. Following the impact, a post-crash fire ensued, which consumed a majority of the helicopter.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.