Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH MBB-BK 117 C-2 accident near Albert Lea, Minnesota, January 2, 2011
On January 2, 2011, a Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH MBB-BK 117 C-2 (helicopter), registered N145SM, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Albert Lea, Minnesota (Albert Lea Medical Center airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the engine cowling latches prior the flight, which resulted in the cowling door opening in-flight and striking the main rotor blades.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 2, 2011
- Place
- Albert Lea, Minnesota · Albert Lea Medical Center · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH MBB-BK 117 C-2
- Registration
- N145SM · no longer on the register · serial 9298
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said that he completed a preflight inspection at the beginning of his shift. He noted that earlier in the day, prior to the accident flight, he verified fuel control settings at the request of one of the mechanics. Both of these required that the engine cowling doors be opened. The pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, he visually checked the security of doors and cowlings, leaking fluids, tie downs, and the overall condition of the aircraft. He reported that after starting the number one engine, the flight medic commented that she heard an unusual sound. He subsequently asked her to check the security of the cowling door latches. When the flight medic returned, she informed him that the latches appeared to be secure. He stated that the flight proceeded without incident until about 1/2-mile from the destination helipad, he heard a loud bang and thump from the rear of the helicopter. Shortly thereafter the helicopter started to vibrate and he thought that the noise and vibration might be something from the rotor system. He elected to continue the approach to the destination helipad and subsequently landed without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to all four main rotor blades. The lower portion of the left engine cowling door was separated. No anomalies were observed with respect to the airframe side of the cowling door latches. The separated portion of the door was not recovered.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Service doors › Inadequate inspection
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,520 hours in all; 130 in this make and model; 54 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 5,520 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 8, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 490 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, December 28, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 3,585 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Omniflight Helicopters, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: 99MN Rochester MN at 11:43 pm
- Destination: 30MN Albert Lea MN
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 270° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 5°F (-15°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.09 inHg
- Observation at 11:45 pm from RST, 39 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.