Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 1994 | WILLCOX, AZ | N5827U | Incident | substantial | ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEM. |
| Apr 12, 1994 | TROUTDALE, OR | N2865B | Incident | substantial |
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE DUAL STUDENT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONT…THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE DUAL STUDENT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. ANOTHER FACTOR WAS UNFAVORABLE, GUSTY WINDS. |
| Mar 22, 1994 | WISCONSIN RPDS, WI | N2991W | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Undetermined. |
| Mar 05, 1994 | AURORA, MO | N6711D | Incident | substantial | THE DUAL STUDENTS INADEQUATE FLARE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S (FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR) DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION. |
| Mar 01, 1994 | PLYMOUTH, MA | N7043J | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance of the fuel truck from the aircraft, which resulted in the main rotor striking the fuel hose and tr…The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance of the fuel truck from the aircraft, which resulted in the main rotor striking the fuel hose and truck during refueling operation. A factor was the pilot's failure to follow company policy pertaining to the refueling of aircraft. |
| Feb 28, 1994 | HANKSVILLE, UT | N4082J | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S DELAY IN RELEASING HIS TOW LINE WHEN THE LINE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH WIRES. |
| Feb 24, 1994 | GOLD HILL, OR | N73909 | Serious (1) | destroyed | SEPARATION OF THE CROSSOVER FUEL LINE, AND THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE AUTOROTATION. |
| Nov 15, 1993 | MESA, WA | N1181W | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE. FACTORS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED WHILE APPROACHING THE FLARE. |
| Nov 12, 1993 | ATMORE, AL | N3078G | Incident | substantial |
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF A FILTER ON THE REFUELING PUMP WHICH WOULD PRECLUDE WATER PASSAGE, AND THE HIGH…THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF A FILTER ON THE REFUELING PUMP WHICH WOULD PRECLUDE WATER PASSAGE, AND THE HIGH TREES. |
| Nov 09, 1993 | TOLEDO, WA | N8169J | Incident | substantial |
TRANSMISSION SHEAR BOLTS FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ROTOR SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DURING HIS AUTOROTATION ATTE…TRANSMISSION SHEAR BOLTS FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ROTOR SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DURING HIS AUTOROTATION ATTEMPT. |
| Oct 25, 1993 | BILLINGSLEY, AL | N866Z | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S IMPROPER VERTICAL LIFTOFF WHICH RESULTED IN DYNAMIC ROLL-OVER AND THE MAIN ROTOR'S IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. |
| Aug 25, 1993 | FULTON, WI | N1464W | Minor | substantial | the failure (fracture) of the number one cylinder intake valve retainer (keeper). |
| Aug 12, 1993 | SCHAUMBURG, IL | N1347X | Minor | substantial | the pilot's improper autorotation techniques. |
| Jul 31, 1993 | CLARINDA, IA | N8480E | Minor | destroyed | THE COMMERCIAL PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES DURING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS. |
| Jul 22, 1993 | ELDERON, WI | N9010C | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE HELICOPTER. |
| Jul 21, 1993 | ORLANDO, FL | N40SD | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 02, 1993 | S. SN FRANCISCO, CA | N2473B | Fatal (1) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN FLIGHT INTO HIGH WINDS, TURBULENCE AND WINDSHEAR. |
| Jun 19, 1993 | PANAMA CITY, FL | N3628G | Minor | substantial |
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER TO ATTAIN EFFECT…IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER TO ATTAIN EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FENCE & TERRAIN CONDITIONS. |
| Jun 11, 1993 | PHLOX, WI | N73988 | Fatal (1) | destroyed | WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE CYCLIC CONTROL. |
| May 21, 1993 | BERLIN, WI | N8458E | Minor | destroyed | THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO SEE THE OBSTRUCTION. |
| May 16, 1993 | PARKER, FL | N970B | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
the misjudgement of the distance by the nonrated pilot-in-command and subsequent collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was the lack of h…the misjudgement of the distance by the nonrated pilot-in-command and subsequent collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was the lack of helicopter experience of the pilot-in-command. |
| Apr 28, 1993 | AQ | N1437 | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH. |
| Mar 24, 1993 | PACIFIC OCEAN, PO | N8493E | Fatal (1) | minor |
THE PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATIONS DIFFICULTY …THE PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATIONS DIFFICULTY BETWEEN THE PILOT & THE PASSENGER, AND THE BIRD STRIKE. |
| Mar 20, 1993 | GREENFIELD, CA | N7080J | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION RUN. |
| Feb 13, 1993 | BAKERSFIELD, CA | N1185W | Incident | substantial | THE CLUTCH SLIPPAGE AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO JETTISON THE LOAD. |