Incident Overview
A night visual flight rules (VFR) helicopter was dispatched to a designated landing zone on an interstate highway to pick up a patient. Prior to landing, the landing zone was searched for obstructions using a 'Night Sun' searchlight, and ground personnel also inspected the area. No obstructions were reported or observed in the immediate landing zone.
After landing, the pilot walked the departure corridor with a flashlight to check for hazards. However, shortly after takeoff, the helicopter collided with four wires that were strung across the highway.
Contributing Factors
Neither the flight crew nor the ground personnel saw the wires prior to the collision. The wires were described as black in color, and the poles supporting them were hidden by buildings and trees. Additionally, high-intensity light standards lined the highway at the landing zone, which may have created visual challenges.
Findings
The accident occurred during a night operation to an unmarked landing zone. Despite multiple visual inspections by both air and ground personnel, the wires were not detected. The source provides no information on aircraft type, registration, injuries, weather conditions, or ATC involvement.