Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2 accident near Carbondale, Illinois, November 13, 2011
On November 13, 2011 at about 10:05 am local time, a Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2 (helicopter), registered N330SL, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) operating) near Carbondale, Illinois (Memorial Hospital of Carbondal airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The main rotor blade’s contact with the vertical stabilizer during the engine shutdown in strong, gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 13, 2011 · about 10:05 am local time · cases in 2011
- Place
- Carbondale, Illinois · Memorial Hospital of Carbondal · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2 · all BK 117 B-2s on the register
- Registration
- N330SL · registry record · serial 7216
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › Main rotor blade system › Unintentional use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 17,200 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 2, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,990 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 11, 2011
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Lycoming LTS-101-750B1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming LTS-101-750 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air Methods CORP
The flight
- Departed from: Sparta IL
- Destination: 5IS1 Carbondale IL
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 190° at 25 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 10:52 am from MDH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 30, 2011. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Miscellaneous - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N330SL the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N330SL on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 12 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm 36 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming LTS-101-750B1 29 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Lycoming LTS-101-750 29 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Memorial Hospital Of Carbondale Heliport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Illinois 2,118 since 1982 · 251 in the last ten years
- Illinois 8,071 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N330SL 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN12CA078.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.