Bell 214ST N724HT

Summary

On 26 July 2007 at about 01:47 local time, a Bell 214ST registered N724HT, operated by US Forest Service, was involved in an accident near McCall, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 July 2007 at 01:47

Classification

Accident

Location

McCall, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

45.1750, -115.7211

Aircraft

Bell 214ST

Registration

N724HT

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

US Forest Service

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McCall → McCall

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA07TA214

1 person was seriously injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.