You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Sunday 13 November 2011 |
| Time: | 04:05 |
| Type: |  MBB BK 117B-2 |
| Owner/operator: | Air Methods Corp |
| Registration: | N330SL |
| MSN: | 7216 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1990 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12990 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming LTS-101-750 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Carbondale, IL (5IS1) -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Sparta, IL |
| Carbondale, IL (5IS1) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
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.
Probable Cause: The main rotor blade's contact with the vertical stabilizer during the engine shutdown in strong, gusty wind conditions.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CEN12CA078
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 05-Oct-2022 04:31 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 13-Nov-2025 20:07 | TB | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Narrative, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation