# NTSB ANC93FA033: Bell 214B1, N114CR, Ketchikan, AK, February 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1993, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610515, -131.579849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6105&lon=-131.5798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93FA033

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE HYDRAULIC SERVO ACTUATOR WHICH LED TO THE FATIGUE FAILURE AND LOSS OF FLIGHT CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THE FLIGHTCREW DID NOT, OR WAS UNABLE TO, JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT OPERATING THE HELICOPTER OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, THE OPERATOR'S CONTINUED AEROLOGGING OPERATIONS WITH AIRCRAFT EXCEEDING MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, AND INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE OF THE OPERATOR'S MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ACTIVITY BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight control system,primary servo - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - external load sling/harness - not dumped (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING 200 FT AGL, WITH LOGS ATTACHED TO A 150-FT LONGLINE, WHEN IT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE LOGS WERE DRAGGED ALONG THE GROUND UNTIL CAUGHT IN STUMPS, PITCHING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE GROUND. THE LOWER PISTON ROD OF THE RIGHT DUAL HYDRAULIC SERVO ACTUATOR HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE; ALSO BEARING WEAR WAS INCONSISTENT WITH COMPONENTS OF COMPARABLE TIME. OPERATOR RECORDS SHOWED REGULAR OVERLOADING OF AEROLOGGING HELICOPTERS; ACFT OVERLOADED BY 2000 LBS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. OPERATOR MAINTENANCE & FACILITY RECORDS INCOMPLETE. MAINTENANCE PERFORMED IN ALASKA WITHOUT FAA AUTHORIZATION. NO RECORDS OF OF FAA SURVEILLANCE OF OPERATOR EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS IN ALASKA SINCE START OF OPERATIONS 4/91. THE EXTERNAL HOOK ELECTRICAL RELEASE MECHANISM WAS TESTED & FUNCTIONED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N114CR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N114CR-2013-09-27), registration cancelled 2013-09-27, S/N 28034, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 214B1
- Registry model: [Bell 214B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214b) (registry code 1182100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-55 SER TS](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-55-ser-ts) (registry code 41555, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 28034
- Airframe hours: 6772
- Engines: LYCOMING T5508D 2050 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Chester Rasberry, doing business as Cri Helicopters, Inc
- Registered owner: Chester Rasberry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 6, 1992, 40 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930219002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930219002899A), Feb 19, 1993: Bell 214B1, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Hovering with logs on long line. Lost control. Log load not released. Crashed. Rotor cylic hydraulic servo failed.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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