Bell 214B-1 accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, May 17, 1989
On May 17, 1989 at about 11:20 pm local time, a Bell 214B-1 (helicopter), registered N614RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT MISJUDGING CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING A HOVER DESCENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1989 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Ketchikan, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 214B-1 · all 214B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N614RM · no longer on the register · serial 28019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING HOVER DESCENT TO PICK UP A LOAD OF LOGS WHILE CONDUCTING HELICOPTER LOGGING OPERATIONS, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY CONTACTED A TREE WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,956 hours in all; 123 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,119 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 10, 1989; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 15,000 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T-5508D (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 335° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°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.