Three Injured in ARCH Medical Helicopter Crash in Hartford, Illinois, USA

An ARCH Medical Services Eurocopter-MBB BK117 helicopter, Registration: N880SL crashed during a training exercise in Hartford, Illinois. The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. local time as the aircraft was taking off from a local fire station near the intersection of North Delmar Avenue and Date Street.

According to witnesses, the helicopter clipped a tree during takeoff, causing it to flip and ignite.  Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, rescuing all three crew members on board before the aircraft was fully engulfed in flames. The injured crew members were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that it will conduct an investigation into the crash.  Air Methods, the parent company of ARCH Medical Services, stated that they are supporting their team members and cooperating fully with authorities during the investigation.