Bell 222U accident near Louie Lake, Idaho, July 14, 2004
On July 14, 2004 at about 6:20 pm local time, a Bell 222U (helicopter), registered N277LF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Louie Lake, Idaho. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Factors contributing to the accident included the tailwind condition and the tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2004 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Louie Lake, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 222U · all 222Us on the register
- Registration
- N277LF · no longer on the register · serial 47520
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After the medical evacuation flight arrived at its designated landing zone (6,500 feet mean sea level/MSL), an out-of-ground-effect hover was accomplished to verify the aircraft's performance. The power check was good and a positive rate of climb was noted. After landing and the crew had exited the aircraft, the pilot departed the area to locate a landing zone closer to the pickup point of the crew and patient. A landing zone at the 6,600 foot level (MSL) was located 3/8 of a mile closer to the patient pickup point. While waiting to load the patient the pilot determined a takeoff could be made based on his review of the aircraft's takeoff performance data. After completing an in-ground-effect power check and initiating a vertical climbout, the pilot confirmed the helicopter would clear a 100 foot tree line as it began to transition forward. After clearing the tree line the pilot detected the aircraft lose all lift as the helicopter began to settle toward the approaching trees. Applying the remaining power, the RPM warning sounded, prompting the pilot to reduce collective, but only to realize that he was descending into approaching obstacles. Right pedal was applied in an attempt to return to the original point of departure, however, the rotor RPM had still not completely recovered and the aircraft continued to descend. The aircraft impacted a boulder, and with the RPM now fully recovered, the helicopter jumped back into the air. The aircraft then rotated 180 degrees before the pilot performed a hover autorotation. During the maneuver the tail rotor had impacted a tree branch which resulted in an 8 inch chord wise gash to one of the tail rotor blades. The pilot felt that as the helicopter was clearing the tree line it entered a downwind condition, a condition which he didn't anticipate, resulting in a reduced power margin with which to overcome the loss of lift. A weather reporting station located 7 miles west-northwest of the accident site reported the wind was variable at 3 knots. The density altitude was calculated to be 8,898 feet. The pilot did not assert that any mechanical malfunctions precipitated the accident.
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; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,200 hours in all; 580 in this make and model; 4,140 as pilot in command; 800 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 18, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme
- Maximum gross weight: 8,250 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Honeywell LTS 101-750C1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Honeywell LTS 101-750C1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Cj Systems Aviation Group, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Louie Lake ID at 7:20 pm
- Destination: ID91 Boise ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 10 knots, gusting 10
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.