Accidentally Dropped Their Load

[pelmet]

Such a report happens more often than you might think........

C-GTYV, a Valley Helicopters Limited Bell 206B (JetRanger) helicopter, was conducting helicopter
sling operations 34 nautical miles north-northwest of Pemberton (CYPS), BC, with only the pilot on
board. While on approach to the drop zone with a cargo net full of tree seedlings, the pilot
depressed the radio call switch on the cyclic to make a radio transmission and inadvertently
contacted the belly hook emergency release switch which is also on the cyclic. The external load
was released from the belly hook and landed in a forested area. There were no reported injuries
and no damage to the aircraft or property.
The cargo net was recovered.

[albertdesalvo]

I can't wait to see the jokes for this thread title. You did that on purpose, you rascal.

[Castorero]

There is no such thing as dropping a load accidentally.
Some unintended action by the operator is usually at play in every instance, unless one is brain dead, IMHO.

[broken_slinky]

inadvertently contacted the belly hook emergency release switch which is also on the cyclic. [/i]

Yeah, you'd think the emergency release would be nowhere near the PTT or at least have it a guarded pushbutton.. "Accidentally" releasing the net with bodies underneath would make for a bad day.

[pelmet]

C-FQNG, a Sikorsky S-61N operated by VIH Helicopters Limited, was conducting firefighting
operations with a long line and bucket approximately 25 nautical miles northwest of Fort St. John
(CYXJ), BC, with 2 flight crew members on board. While returning to CYXJ in level flight with an
empty bucket, the pilot (who was flying from the LH seat) released the cyclic to adjust the trim.
When his hand returned to the cyclic, he inadvertently pressed the cargo release button on the
cyclic. The longline and bucket where jettisoned into the forest below. The aircraft continued to
CYXJ. There were no injuries to anyone on the ground and the aircraft was not damaged.
The company briefed flight crews on operational mitigations to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent
load release.