Helicopter in open field on its side, substantial damage.  2 POB not injured.  “The pilot in command made an abrupt turn to avoid a massive bird strike” and was “unable to recover complete control of the helicopter before it struck terrain,” said IDOT spokeswoman Paris Ervin in this report.  Pilot was Steve Young, bureau chief of air operations for IDOT.  Passenger was Rob Thorpe, IDOT section chief of aviation maintenance.  Helicopter reported as flying at 300ft agl.

Date:

7 September, 2013

Reg:

N721LL

Make:

Bell

Model:

B206

MSN:

51164

Location:

Amistad

Country:

US-New Mexico

Civil / Military:

Civil

Operator:

Illinois-DOT

Link:

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2013/09/09/illinois-state-helicopter-crashes-in-new-mexico/ai8ulem/

Link:

http://www.asias.faa.gov/pls/apex/f?p=100:96:::::P96_ENTRY_DATE,P96_MAKE_NAME,P96_FATAL_FLG:09-SEP-13,BELL

Link:

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-state-helicopter-crashes-in-new-mexico/article_90419340-c1cc-52d1-8b8b-ac162a4d8bc5.html