December 10, 2012, Compton, Ill. – MBB BK 117 A-3

The aeromedical helicopter sustained substantial damage at about 2016 Central time upon impacting terrain during a positioning flight. The pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the flight. At 1959, the pilot reported he was departing from the helicopter’s base. At 2010, the pilot radioed he was 12 minutes from his destination. At 2016, the pilot notified his dispatch that he was aborting the flight due to the weather conditions encountered. No further communications were received from the helicopter. A surface weather observation recorded about 10 miles north of the accident site at 2015 included seven miles’ visibility, light snow and an overcast ceiling at 3300 feet agl.

Key Takeaways:

• An aeromedical helicopter crashed during a positioning flight, resulting in the fatal injury of the pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic.
• The pilot reported aborting the flight due to encountered weather conditions at 2016 Central time, just prior to the impact.
• Although visual conditions initially prevailed, a nearby weather observation at the time of the crash included light snow and an overcast ceiling.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.