Incident Overview
A helicopter conducting an emergency medical mission landed on a road to collect an injured patient from a previous auto accident. The pilot performed an aerial inspection of the intended landing area before touching down to the west in calm wind conditions.
Sequence of Events
After landing, the patient was secured in a stretcher and loaded onto the helicopter. Preparations for departure were complete when the pilot attempted liftoff. The pilot reported that he did not see telephone lines crossing the road. During the takeoff, the helicopter's engine nacelle cowling contacted the wires. The telephone lines then traveled up the rotor mast, causing the pitch change links to separate. This resulted in a loss of helicopter control, and the aircraft subsequently impacted the road surface.
Outcome
The helicopter sustained damage from the wire strike and subsequent impact. No information is provided on injuries, the aircraft type, or the specific location.