Bell BH-214 accident near Thompson Falls, Montana, July 28, 1990
On July 28, 1990 at about 1:05 am local time, a Bell BH-214 (helicopter), registered N314RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Thompson Falls, Montana. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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
CREW'S ENCOUNTER WITH SOFT TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING AN AUTOROTATION LANDING AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 1990 · about 1:05 am local time
- Place
- Thompson Falls, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell BH-214
- Registration
- N314RM · no longer on the register · serial 28041
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CREW OF THE BELL 214B-1 HELICOPTER ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY WHILE THEY WERE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE SKIDS DUG INTO SOFT GROUND, CAUSING THE NOSE TO PITCH FORWARD. THE SKIDS LEFT THE AIRFRAME AND THE TAILBOOM WAS STRUCK BY A MAIN ROTOR BLADE. A PINCHED O-RING HAD PERMITTED MOST OF THE LUBRICANT TO BE EVACUATED FROM PART OF THE MAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,661 hours in all; 5,297 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 24, 1990
- Maximum gross weight: 12,499 lb
- Seats: 12
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming T5508D (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sandpoint ID
- Destination: MSO Missoula MT
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 7:05 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N314RM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.