What happened
On July 4, 2020, at approximately 1357 EDT, an Airbus BK117, registration N263MH, was involved in an accident at Wayne County Airport (KBJJ) in Wooster, Ohio. The aircraft was operating as a Part 135 helicopter air ambulance flight.
As the helicopter lifted off from a portable dolly, the crew performed a right turn and a brief hover. During the subsequent takeoff, the aircraft flew approximately 10 feet above ground level over a grassy area adjacent to the ramp. In this area, a silt construction fence was obscured by tall grass. As the helicopter passed over, the unsecured fence blew upward and became entangled in the main and tail rotor systems.
The crew performed a forced landing, which caused substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and tail rotor blades. The two commercial pilots were not injured.
The investigation
Investigators found that there were no Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) regarding the construction fence, and the fence was not documented in any available pilot publications.
One pilot reported having previously inspected the fence and noted that the bottom was buried 4 to 6 inches in the ground and attached to wooden stakes with staples and nails. The second pilot noted that they had flown over the fence many times previously without it being a factor. Surveillance video confirmed that the fence became unsecured and entered the rotor system during the departure phase.