Bordeaux Bob,
Bush Flying for at over Forty Years has involved Rotors Turning operations like refueling, hooking up external loads, loading cargo, and other chores.
A lot of things were done in years past.Obviously, there is a reason why we don't fly helicopters with wooden blades anymore.Trying to make the argument that these things can be done "right" is a double edged sword.There are helicopters and then there are helicopters. There is a reason why this is not done in an AS350.For one, from shut down to start up it takes all of five minutes if no one is is in a hurry. Most companies recognize the higher risk involved in a single pilot operation and have procedures in place to prevent such accidents.
Judging from some of the comments, there are some very inexperienced Pilots waxing not so eloquently about this tragedy.
Thank goodness for that!The "experienced" lot has certainly covered themselves in glory over the past two decades in EMS!
Alt3.