# NTSB WPR14CA290: Bell 47K, N88771, Kingston, WA, July 11, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2014, 15:27 local (22:27 UTC) - Place: Kingston, WA - Coordinates: 47.824722, -122.499725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8247&lon=-122.4997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89648/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89648 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA290 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing approach, which resulted in an excessive descent angle and settling with power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1181202), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1181202), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=1181202), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was making an approach to landing on a shoreline. As the helicopter passed through 200 feet, it encountered settling with power. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent and the helicopter subsequently impacted the water. The main rotor blades and aircraft structure were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was making an approach to landing on a shoreline. As the helicopter passed through 200 feet, it encountered settling with power. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent and the helicopter subsequently impacted the water. The main rotor blades and aircraft structure were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88771](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88771-2026-04-09), registration cancelled 2026-04-09, S/N 2123 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47K - Registry model: [Bell 47K](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47k) (registry code 1181202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2123 - Airframe hours: 2513 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2014 - Departed: WA61, Kingston, WA - Destination: WA61, Kingston, WA - Airport: WA61, Thompson Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 10 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89648. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.