Summary
On April 25, 2025, a Messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm BK 117 (N880SL) was involved in an accident near Hartford, IL. The accident resulted in 3 serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: 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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN25LA163. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N880SL.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN25LA163