# NTSB SEA79FTI05: Bell 214B-1, N224RM, Darby, MT, December 27, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 27, 1978
- Place: Darby, MT · DARBY, MT
- Location: 46.0245° N, 114.1797° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Darby, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0245&lon=-114.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FTI05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTI05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3920  78/12/27 NR.DARBY,MT           BELL 214B-1         CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1145                    N224RM              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     40, 8348 TOTAL HOURS, 958
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         DARBY,MT                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: SPRAG SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JETTISONED LOAD
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LOGGING OPNS, SPRAGS IN FREE WHEELING UNIT FAILED. OVERHAUL 54 HRS PRIOR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N224RM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 214B-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19781227041189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781227041189A), Dec 27, 1978: Bell 214B, Darby, MT, Substantial damage. Logging opns, sprags in free wheeling unit failed. Overhaul 54 hrior.

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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