Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2 N330SL

Summary

On 13 November 2011 at about 10:05 local time, a Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2 registered N330SL, operated by Air Methods Corp, was involved in an accident near Carbondale, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 November 2011 at 10:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Carbondale, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Memorial Hospital of Carbondal (5IS1)

Coordinates

37.7269, -89.2211

Aircraft

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2

Registration

N330SL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Air Methods Corp

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sparta → Carbondale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CEN12CA078

Nobody was injured.

The main rotor blade’s contact with the vertical stabilizer during the engine shutdown in strong, gusty wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an engine shutdown procedure following an emergency medical services flight, a main rotor blade sustained substantial damage when it contacted the left vertical stabilizer. The main rotor blade was broken near its root, and the tailboom and tail rotor driveshaft cover were dented. The local recorded wind was 25 knots gusting to 34 knots. The damage was consistent with the main rotor blade flapping with the gusty wind conditions and impacting the stabilizer. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.