Bell Helicopter Textron Canada BHT407 N407VS

Summary

On 5 February 2026 at about 03:45 local time, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada BHT407 registered N407VS, operated by A L E R T Kalispell Regional Medical Center Inc, was involved in an accident near Libby, Montana, United States. 3 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.

Date

5 February 2026 at 03:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Libby, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Cabinet Peaks Medical Center (None)

Coordinates

48.3920, -115.5453

Aircraft

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada BHT407

Registration

N407VS

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

A L E R T Kalispell Regional Medical Center Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kalispell → Libby

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

WPR26LA099

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light post during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a routine positioning flight to a hospital helipad; a procedure he had performed multiple times previously. While maneuvering to land, he thought he was lower than normal and continued to maneuver for the landing. During the landing flare, the pilot heard a loud noise and felt a vibration but landed uneventfully. After the flight, the pilot discovered that the tail rotor had contacted a helipad light post during the landing sequence, which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom and tail rotor. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.