# NTSB CEN12CA078: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2, N330SL, Carbondale, IL, November 13, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 13, 2011, 04:05 local (10:05 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, IL
- Coordinates: 37.726943, -89.221107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7269&lon=-89.2211&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82376/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82376
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA078

## Probable cause

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

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md?model=5626013), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5626013), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5626013), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual 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 broke near its root and the tailboom and tail rotor driveshaft cover were dented. The operator reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. Local recorded winds were 190 degrees at 25 knots gusting to 34 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N330SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330SL-2014-06-02), registration cancelled 2014-06-02, S/N 7216, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MESSERSCHMITT-BOLKOW-BLOHM BK 117 B-2
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm-bk-117-b-2) (registry code 5626013) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7216
- Airframe hours: 12990
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-750B1 317 horsepower turbo shaft; LYCOMING LTS-101-750 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Methods Corp
- Registered owner: Air Methods Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 11, 2011
- Departed: Sparta, IL
- Destination: 5IS1, Carbondale, IL
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 5IS1, Memorial Hospital of Carbondal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 17,200 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 190° at 25 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observed at: MDH

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20111113027979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111113027979A), Nov 13, 2011: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2, Carbondale, IL, Substantial damage. The helicopter landed on the rooftop heliport of the hospital to offload a patient. During coast down of the main and tail rotor system after the engines had…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82376. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Miscellaneous - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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