Bell B-214-B-1 accident near Bullard, Georgia, March 3, 1986
On March 3, 1986 at about 3:22 pm local time, a Bell B-214-B-1 (helicopter), registered N114RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bullard, Georgia. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 3, 1986 · about 3:22 pm local time · cases in 1986
- Place
- Bullard, Georgia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell B-214-B-1
- Registration
- N114RM · registry record · serial 28021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A HELICOPTER INVOLVED IN A LOGGING OPERATION WAS IN PROCESS OF LIFTING A LOG WHEN CREW REPORTED A 'LOUD EXPLOSION' AND A LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND A SMALL ENGINE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE 1ST STAGE TURBINE DISC HAD SEPARATED AND WAS UNCONTAINED. DEBRIS HAD DAMAGED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND COWLING DURING ITS DEPARTURE FROM THE HELICOPTER. EVIDENCE OF A THREAD LURE WAS REPORTED ON THE MALE AND FEMALE THREADS FOR THE DISC BOLTS. THIS IS THE SECOND REPORTED IGT TURBINE DISC FAILURE ON THIS ENGINE, BOTH WERE BEING OPERATED BY THIS COMPANY AT THE TIME.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,656 hours in all; 2,100 in this make and model; 240 in the last 90 days; 13,402 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,709 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, February 27, 1986; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,499 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T5508D (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters,Inc
The flight
- Departed from: Bullard GA at 3:11 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from WRB, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N114RM on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Bell 3,079 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming T5508D 6 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Georgia 2,138 since 1982 · 361 in the last ten years
- Georgia 8,807 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ATL86FA084.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.