# NTSB SEA89LA088: Bell 214B-1, N614RM, Ketchikan, AK, May 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1989, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609714, -131.580123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6097&lon=-131.5801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING A HOVER DESCENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING HOVER DESCENT TO PICK UP A LOAD OF LOGS WHILE CONDUCTING HELICOPTER LOGGING OPERATIONS, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY CONTACTED A TREE WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N614RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N614RM-1991-05-02), registration cancelled 1991-05-02, S/N 28019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 214B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 214B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214b-1) (registry code 1182105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 28019
- Airframe hours: 10119
- Engines: LYCOMING T-5508D 2950 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopter Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 10, 1989, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,956 total, 123 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 335° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19890517012289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890517012289A), May 17, 1989: Bell 214B1, Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck trees on descent for landing resulting in loss of tall rotor control and a crash.

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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