# NTSB SEA85LA060: Bell 214B1, N314RM, Lowell, OR, February 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1985, 17:25 local (Feb 19, 1985, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Lowell, OR
- Coordinates: 43.869853, -122.749748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8699&lon=-122.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - fuel system,fuel control - overspeed (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN DURING AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION LANDING ATTEMPT FOLLOWING A REPORTED ENG OVERSPEED. THE CREW REPORTED THERE WAS AN INDICATION OF ENG OVERSPEED WHICH THEY COULD NOT CONTROL. POST ACC EXAMINATIONREVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF OVERSPEED OR FAILURE OF ANY CONTROL DEVICES THAT WOULD MATERIALLY HAVE AFFECTED THE FLT CREWS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ENG RPM AT THE PROPER AND/OR DESIRED RATE. ROTOR RPM DECAY WAS ALSO REPORTED BY THE FLT CREW EVEN WITH THE ENG AT THE REPORTED HIGH RPM. NO REASON FOR THE ALLEGED CONDITION WAS FOUND IN CONTINUITY OF THE PWR TRAIN IN AN EXAMINATION OF THE POWERPLANT & DRIVE TRAIN AFTER ENG SHUT DOWN BY GROUND PERSONNEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N314RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N314RM-1992-06-19), registration cancelled 1992-06-19, S/N 28041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 214B1
- Registry model: [Bell 214B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214b-1) (registry code 1182105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 28041
- Airframe hours: 3282
- Engines: LYCOMING T5508D 2050 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Fuji Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 11, 1985, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,931 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F

## 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 19850218030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850218030809A), Feb 18, 1985: Bell 214B1, Lowell, OR, Substantial damage. Autorotation landing made due to engine overspeed. Possible fuel control malfunction.

## Other investigations on N314RM (2)

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.

- [NTSB ANC92FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA044), Mar 6, 1992: Bell 214B-1 (N314RM), Hobart Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY IMPELLER, AND INADEQUATE QUALITY CONTROL BY THE MANUFACTURER. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN.
- [NTSB SEA90LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA148), Jul 28, 1990: Bell BH-214 (N314RM), Thompson Falls, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: CREW'S ENCOUNTER WITH SOFT TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING AN AUTOROTATION LANDING AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.

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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