The pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude and a visual lookout while operating under a special visual flight rules clearance in instrument flight rule conditions, which resulted in the helicopter colliding with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain an adequate weather briefing for conditions at his destination, his continued visual flight rules into instrument flight rule conditions, and his failure to reset the altimeter to the current setting.

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.