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 02, 2000 | STANWOOD, WA | N3377H | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The disengagement of the oil jet fitting from its threaded receptacle at the forward end of the engine crankshaft. This resulted in excessive oil with…The disengagement of the oil jet fitting from its threaded receptacle at the forward end of the engine crankshaft. This resulted in excessive oil within the clutch assembly, the subsequent slipping of the clutch, and ultimately the disengagement of the rotor drive system from the engine. Contributing factors were the pilot's not maintaining clearance from the electric fences which were also hidden objects against the grass landing surface. |
| Aug 26, 1999 | BENTON CITY, WA | N11VH | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
A loss of power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor RPM following the power loss. Contributing factors w…A loss of power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor RPM following the power loss. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of certification and total experience. |
| Jul 10, 1998 | JONES, OK | N12085 | Fatal (2) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees during a low altitude flight/maneuver. |
| May 24, 1998 | BIXBY, OK | N9954F | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. |
| Jan 14, 1998 | SPANISH FORK, UT | N1461W | Fatal (1) | substantial | A total loss of power due to repeated engine overspeeds. A related factor was unsuitable terrain. |
| Sep 19, 1997 | SALUDA, SC | N70747 | Fatal (2) | destroyed | in-flight collision with a tree, for undetermined reason(s). |
| Dec 10, 1996 | PENDLETON, OR | N4758R | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot-in-command's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with…The pilot-in-command's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with hilly terrain. A contributing factor in the accident was the presence of fog. |
| Oct 29, 1996 | FILLMORE, UT | N3098G | Fatal (1) | substantial |
inadequate procedure and inadequate monitoring by the pilot, the operator, and/or other personnel, which allowed one of three external cables to the s…inadequate procedure and inadequate monitoring by the pilot, the operator, and/or other personnel, which allowed one of three external cables to the seed bucket to become entangled with the right skid of the helicopter, resulting in an imbalance and loss of aircraft control as weight on the cable became effective. Lack of air/ground communication between the pilot and ground crew personnel was a related factor. |
| Aug 26, 1996 | GUAM, | N474GA | Fatal (1) | destroyed | loss of tail rotor control due to improper maintenance. |
| Aug 11, 1996 | ADEL, GA | N9472G | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's misjudgment of clearance between the helicopter and the antenna. A factor relating to the accident was the pilot's use of a drug (medicat…the pilot's misjudgment of clearance between the helicopter and the antenna. A factor relating to the accident was the pilot's use of a drug (medication) that had sedative effects. |
| Jan 29, 1996 | HONIARA, PO | N6569H | Fatal (1) | destroyed | the pilot and the ship crew's failure to assure the tie down strap was removed prior to liftoff. |
| Jan 12, 1996 | POPE VALLEY, CA | N1309X | Fatal (1) | destroyed | the pilot misjudged the clearance between the broadcaster and the truck resulting in the broadcaster's cables becoming entangled with the truck. |
| Nov 12, 1995 | SHAFTER, CA | N78900 | Fatal (2) | destroyed | the pilot misjudged the altitude and ground clearance while performing an unwarranted low altitude flight maneuver. |
| Jul 10, 1995 | HAMMONTON, NJ | N48316 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
failure of the collective yoke bearing, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: th…failure of the collective yoke bearing, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: the manufacturer's inadequate inspection interval of the yoke bearing. |
| Apr 25, 1995 | ARDMORE, OK | N2202C | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWER TRANSMISSION ARRAY STATIC LINE WHEN THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND DUAL (PRIVATE PILOT) STUDENT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE…INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWER TRANSMISSION ARRAY STATIC LINE WHEN THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND DUAL (PRIVATE PILOT) STUDENT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. |
| Sep 17, 1994 | PACIFIC OCEAN, PO | N2280W | Fatal (2) | substantial | an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 16, 1994 | TRUK ISLAND, FM | N65678 | Fatal (1) | substantial | THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR BLADES AND THE COCONUT TREES. |
| Jun 15, 1994 | BALDWIN, IL | N4992G | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The inadequate maintenance (inspection of aircraft) by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Related…The inadequate maintenance (inspection of aircraft) by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Related factors are the unsafetied fuel filter, and low altitude at which the helicopter operated. |
| May 16, 1994 | TULSA, OK | N47GY | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS WHEN HE MANEUVERED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A …IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS WHEN HE MANEUVERED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A FLOCK OF BIRDS. FACTORS WERE THE BIRDS AND THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT SYNCHRONIZED ELEVATOR. |
| Apr 22, 1994 | MARATHON, FL | N9660 | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE P…SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW THE PROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE AFTER A PREVIOUS TAIL ROTOR STRIKE, AND FAILURE TO CONDUCT A 100-HOUR INSPECTION WHEN DUE. |
| Mar 22, 1994 | WISCONSIN RPDS, WI | N2991W | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Undetermined. |
| 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 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 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. |
| 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. |