What happened
On June 17, 2019, an Eurocopter EC1стью35, registration N135WJ, operated by Air Methods Corporation, was performing a takeoff from a confined landing zone in Cobleskill, New York. During the takeoff sequence, the pilot executed a pedal turn but allowed the aircraft to drift toward the rear. This movement caused the main rotor blades to strike tree branches that were located at the perimeter of the landing area. Following the contact, the pilot was able to complete the remainder of the flight without further incident. There were no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
Post-flight inspections conducted by the operator's maintenance personnel revealed several points of damage to the aircraft. The two main rotor blades showed damage at the tips, and the three fan-in-fin blades exhibited bending. Additionally, the investigation found a crack in the vertical fin, a puncture in the horizontal stabilizer, and damage to the anti-torque gearbox. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the anti-torque gearbox.