Originally Posted by
Nubian
As for the wire (telephone-line?) in the picture, I don't think it did contribute, but much rather the snow-covered steepish hill with semi-bad references and the pilot's experience. Snowmobile on a short sling, concentrating on putting it down gently, stick the tail or MR-blade into the snow as situational awareness is not all that great.... that will do the trick, but this is pure speculation.
FWIW the local fire service is quoted in the local media as saying "we assume the rotor blades touched the ground during the landing approach".