Plane Crash List

Bell BH-214 N314RM

28 July 1990 · Thompson Falls, Montana, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 28 July 1990 at about 01:05 local time, a Bell BH-214 registered N314RM was involved in an accident near Thompson Falls, Montana, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 01:05
Classification
Accident
Location
Thompson Falls, Montana, United States
Coordinates
47.5594, -115.4397
Aircraft
Bell BH-214
Registration
N314RM
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Positioning
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Sandpoint → Missoula
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA90LA148

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
4 0 0 0 4

Probable cause

CREW'S ENCOUNTER WITH SOFT TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING AN AUTOROTATION LANDING AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE CREW OF THE BELL 214B-1 HELICOPTER ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY WHILE THEY WERE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE SKIDS DUG INTO SOFT GROUND, CAUSING THE NOSE TO PITCH FORWARD. THE SKIDS LEFT THE AIRFRAME AND THE TAILBOOM WAS STRUCK BY A MAIN ROTOR BLADE. A PINCHED O-RING HAD PERMITTED MOST OF THE LUBRICANT TO BE EVACUATED FROM PART OF THE MAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Apr 1990 Peterson KIT FOX MODEL 1
N87BS
Highwood, Montana, United States - No injuries -
21 Mar 1990 Cessna 172M
N80830
Three Forks, Montana, United States - No injuries -
8 Apr 1990 Piper PA-28-140
N5628U
Forsyth, Montana, United States - Serious injuries -
18 Apr 1990 Cessna 172
N3233L
Columbia Falls, Montana, United States Eagle Aviation, Inc. No injuries -
6 May 1990 Cessna C-180E
N8679X
Helena, Montana, United States - No injuries -
10 May 1990 Piper PA-18-150
N62672
Powderville, Montana, United States W.l. Ranch Co. No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States