Bell 214ST accident near Mccall, Idaho, July 26, 2007
On July 26, 2007 at about 1:47 am local time, a Bell 214ST (helicopter), registered N724HT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mccall, Idaho. It was a public-use flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate planned approach that led to settling with power. Contributing to the accident was the external load becoming snagged in the water, and the high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 2007 · about 1:47 am local time
- Place
- Mccall, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 214ST · all 214STs on the register
- Registration
- N724HT · registry record · serial 21823
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he encountered the onset of settling with power while approaching a lake to fill an external bucket attached to a 150-foot long-line. He lowered the collective, and initiated a 180-degree turn. During the turn, the bucket entered the water, and the long-line pulled the helicopter from the right side while the pilot was maneuvering. Subsequently, the helicopter collided with terrain adjacent to the shoreline of the lake resulting in substantial damage. The operator reported the estimated density altitude at the time of the accident was 10,221 feet, and the winds were light and variable. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,996 hours in all; 131 in the last 90 days; 79 in the last 30 days; 6,507 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,518 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 1, 2007; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 17,500 lb
- Seats: 20
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: General Electric CT7-2A (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Mccall ID at 9:00 pm
- Destination: Mccall ID
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots, gusting 4
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 1:28 am from LOON, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.