20020831023019A

(-23) The pilot initiated a normal take-off from the Miami children's Hospital level helipad. The pilot elected to take off east between a building and a multi-deck-parking garage and over an awning covered crosswalk and a street. As the helicopter passed over the awning it was flapping up due to the rotor downwash. This diverted the pilots attention causing the helicopter main rotor blades to strike the corner of the parking garage. The helicopter stopped climbing and crashed to the street below. Both engines were shut down, both fire t-handle were pulled and the battery switch was shut-off. The rotor blades stopped quickly and everyone exited the aircraft. The pilot was injured in his right hand and the copilot broke his left arm while attempting to exit the aircraft. (.19) on August 31, 2002, about 1217 eastern daylight time, a Sikorsky, S-76 a+, registered to Miami children's Hospital, and operated by air methods inc., as a title 14 CFR part 91 airmedical positioning flight, collided with a corner of a building at Miami children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, during takeoff/initial climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and n o flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot and two flight crewmembers received minor injuries, and the commercial-rated copilot received a serious injury. The helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was the pilot flying, and the copilot was monitoring the takeoff and clearing for obstacles on the left side. He said that prior to the accident, all events had been normal, and that the departure path from the helipad is to the east, over an awning which covers a walkway and a street, between two buildings. According to the pilot, as the helicopter was about to pass over the awning he became distracted by a large section of torn awning which was flapping in the wind due to the rotor's downwash, and the helicopter's main rotors impacted the top corner of the building on the right. The helicopter stopped climbing and began to settle, and the pilot said he lowered the collective, and navigated between the building and the parking garage, to the street below, applying full collective pitch to cushion the landing on the street. He then performed the emergency shutdown procedures, and he and his crew egressed from the helicopter. The helicopter incurred damage to the main rotors and fuselage.