Accident Details
According to the operator, the pilots of the helicopter were conducting a routine passenger flight departure from a heliport in night visual meteorological conditions. During the departure, the copilot brought the helicopter to a 4 ft hover, then transitioned to the left and commenced forward flight. At this point, the main rotor blades struck a security barrier.
Following the blade strike, the helicopter impacted the ground. Subsequently, the main rotor blades struck the tailboom, causing further damage.
Pilot Reports
Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.