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 sustained substantial damage and crashed during a positioning flight, fatally injuring the pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic.
• The accident occurred at approximately 20:16 Central time after the pilot reported aborting the flight due to encountered weather conditions, with no further communication received.
• Although initial visual conditions were reported, a nearby weather observation at the time of the crash included seven miles' visibility, light snow, and an overcast ceiling.

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