Date:	Monday 19 May 2025
Time:	19:41
Type:	MBB BK 117C-1
Owner/operator:	Metro Aviation opf PennSTAR
Registration:	N117NC
MSN:	7517
Year of manufacture:	1997
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Fort Washington, PA -   United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Ambulance
Departure airport:	Penn Presbyterian Medical Center - North Heliport, PA (PA39)
Destination airport:	Philadelphia-Wings Field Airport, PA (KLOM)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities

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.

According to the pilot, the flight originated the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center North Heliport (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 wreckage has was retained for further examination.

https://dailyvoice.com/pa/media/pennstar-helicopter-forced-to-land-in-delaware-county-neighborhood/
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/medical-helicopter-crash-front-yard-pennsylvania/4189253/
https://6abc.com/post/medical-helicopter-makes-emergency-landing-whitemarsh-pa/16474857/

NTSB
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=117NC
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N117NC/history/20250519/2335Z/PA39/KLOM

https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/6/1808086_1737818006.jpg (photo)

dailyvoice.com/pa/media/pen...

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— Aerossurance (@aerossurance.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM

Sources tell me PENNSTAR 1 radioed “Mayday” before emergency landing. There is damage to tail rotar boom. Sources tell me pieces of the rotar may have been found away from this scene. Source says “It’s a miracle the pilot got this down & everyone safe on board & on ground.” pic.twitter.com/NKNQixg55L

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 20, 2025

2/ Sources tell me the PennStar 1 is with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania & was on final approach to their base at Wings Field in Blue Bell when the emergency happened. “Crew walked away.” after landing at Cannon Hill Road. pic.twitter.com/JnpDFQIrE1

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 20, 2025

www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/m...

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— Aerossurance (@aerossurance.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM

The scene now on the front lawn of a Whitemarsh Township home where the PENNSTAR 1 medevac helicopter made an emergency landing. Damage to the rotar assembly and the left landing skid are evident. Crew of three walked away. No one on ground hurt either. pic.twitter.com/nbX6Jh6D5T

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 20, 2025

Pennstar 1 declaring a Mayday this evening...
Thankfully no injuries reported.#PennStar@Pennstar8888 pic.twitter.com/6Fv9YguyPc

— phillyfirefeed (@phillyfirefeed) May 20, 2025

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
20-May-2025 00:43	Captain Adam	Added
20-May-2025 05:29	ASN	Updated [Total occupants, Embed code, ]
20-May-2025 06:53	Aerossurance	Updated [Embed code, ]
20-May-2025 06:56	Aerossurance	Updated [Time, Embed code, Narrative, ]
20-May-2025 06:59	Aerossurance	Updated [Embed code, ]
20-May-2025 07:01	Aerossurance	Updated [Embed code, Narrative, ]
20-May-2025 07:01	Aerossurance	Updated [Embed code, Damage, Narrative, ]
20-May-2025 07:02	Aerossurance	Updated [Operator, Source, ]
20-May-2025 08:17	Aerossurance	Updated [Destination airport, ]
21-May-2025 06:10	Aerossurance	Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative, ]
29-May-2025 19:10	Captain Adam	Updated [Time, Location, Source, Narrative, Accident report, ]