Researchers in a low-flying helicopter were trying to net an elk to fit it with a tracking collar when the large animal leapt at the chopper's tail rotor, bringing the aircraft crashing to the ground.

The incident occurred Monday in Wasatch County, Utah, about 90 miles east of Salt Lake City, according to the Associated Press.

The two people in the helicopter were not seriously injured. The elk died.

The aircraft was flying about 10 feet above the ground in a mountainous region of eastern Utah when the elk jumped at it.

Researchers use the tracking collars to study elk migration paths and mortality rates. About 1,300 animals are netted each winter, the AP said.

In this case, an attempt to net the elk failed and the pilot had slowed down so a researcher could jump out of the aircraft to hobble the elk.