Accident · 2025-04-24
What the record says
- Event date
- 2025-04-24
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Serious injury
- Aircraft
- MESSERSCHMITT-BOLKOW-BLOHM BK 117 (N880SL)
- Operating rule
- Part 135
- Operator
- Air Methods Corp. Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- AIR METHODS LLC
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb at night from a confined area landing zone, that resulted in an impact with a tree, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB case CEN25LA163Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Airline transport pilot | Helicopter | 47 | Class 2 (2024-09-09) | 7,404 total · 1,277 in this make/model · 7,338 as PIC · 49 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.