Jul 23, 2007
Accident
Destroyed Happy Camp, CA
Injuries1 fatal
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 133
Probable Cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate communication between crews, failure to properly assess the safety of the intended drop zone, reduced visibility to the right side of the helicopter, and the trees.
NTSB LAX07TA227