It is well known and well publicized that the pilot of the 412 gave incomparable "thrill rides" to the skydivers. There were even some websites that had incriminating pictures (since taken down) of the pilot doing some outrageous things. Even the organizers' official website touted the thrill ride.
My imagination is at a blank here... what exactly did he do? Anyone know of the whereabouts of any of the "incriminating pictures"?
As for the tail rotor hitting the photographer, referring to this picture:
http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/open.file/187217/L/
Makes me think a strike is very possible. Possibly the photographer was behind the ship, which took off initially into a tail wind, pilot over corrected, came back and hit the photographer... or possibly some form of flare and turn manuver... I'm not sure, but it seems possible none the less.
Mike