Bell 214B-1 accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, November 4, 1988
On November 4, 1988 at about 2:25 pm local time, a Bell 214B-1 (helicopter), registered N514RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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 October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 1988 · about 2:25 pm local time
- Place
- Ketchikan, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 214B-1 · all 214B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N514RM · registry record · serial 28058
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
OUTBD 5 FEET OF TOP SKIN FROM ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED IN FLT. PLT EFFECTED LNDG WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EROSION OF LEADING EDGE PROTECTIVE STRIP ALLOWED AIRLOADS TO INTRUDE UNDER SKIN TO CAUSE DELAMINATION AND SEPARATION. SOOT TRAILS INDICATE EROSION/DEFECT PROBABLY PRESENT AT TIME OF LAST INSPECTION (1.2 HRS).
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: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,700 hours in all; 3,830 in this make and model; 14,290 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,975 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 2, 1988; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 16,000 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T5508D (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.