ANACONDA — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) completed its preliminary accident report on the deadly helicopter crash in Anaconda last month.
The report says the helicopter was spreading fertilizer on a hillside as part of an Atlantic Richfield Co. reclamation project at the time of the April 26 crash just southeast of Anaconda.
The report stated the helicopter had a fertilizer spreader suspended from it by a 25-foot line.
The helicopter had just picked up its third load of fertilizer before it crashed killing the pilot, 28-year-old Justin Price.
Security video last showed the helicopter rapidly descending in a "nose low attitude" before disappearing from view.
The ground crew assisting in the operation did not see the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
