Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-1 N117NC

Summary

On 19 May 2025 at about 23:41 local time, a Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-1 registered N117NC, operated by Triple M Leasing LLC, was involved in an accident near Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

19 May 2025 at 23:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Wings Field Airport (LOM)

Coordinates

40.1164, -75.2428

Aircraft

Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-1

Registration

N117NC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1997

Engines

2

Operator

Triple M Leasing LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Philadelphia → Philadelphia

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA204

3 people had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On May 19, 2025, at 1941 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh BK117-C1, N117NC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot and two passengers’ received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an air medical flight.Just want to clarify if it was air medical or air ambulance? According to the pilot, the flight originated from at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center North Heliporthelipad (PA39), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was enroute to Wings Field Airport (LOM), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the helicopter’s home base, following the completion of a patient transport mission. While cruising at an altitude of about 1,300 ft mean sea level and 120 knots indicated airspeed, approximately 3 to 4 nautical miles south of LOM, the helicopter became uncontrollable and began shuddering violently. The pilot reported there were no visual or aural warnings prior to the event. He continued that he experienced a total loss of tail rotor control, including the loss of pedal authority and tail rotor thrust. The pilot lowered the collective and initiated an autorotation descent. During the descent, he identified a grass field adjacent to a driveway as a suitable forced landing area. The helicopter touched down following a rotation of about 180 degrees. The pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown and applied the rotor brake. The helicopter wreckage has beenwas retainedcovered for further examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.