Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2003 | Cleveland, MN | N7925J | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and low altitude flight when he failed to maintain altitude/clearance from the transmission wire. A factor cont…The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and low altitude flight when he failed to maintain altitude/clearance from the transmission wire. A factor contributing to the accident was the transmission wire. |
| Aug 25, 2002 | Oasis, CA | N8478H | Serious (1) | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. |
| Sep 01, 2000 | CANTON, MS | N53SP | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the helicopter colliding with power lines, catching fire, and being consumed by fire after lan…The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the helicopter colliding with power lines, catching fire, and being consumed by fire after landing. |
| Dec 14, 1998 | ESSEX JUNCTION, VT | N8103J | Serious (2) | substantial |
the pilot's improper entry into the autorotation, which resulted in the loss of power and a low rotor rpm condition. Also causal was the pilot's impro…the pilot's improper entry into the autorotation, which resulted in the loss of power and a low rotor rpm condition. Also causal was the pilot's improper execution of the autorotation which resulted in the hard landing. Factors in the accident were the performance of the autorotation at dusk over rough terrain. |
| Jun 10, 1998 | LE CENTER, MN | N73284 | Serious (1) | destroyed | the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. A factor associated with the accident was the wire which the helicopter contacted. |
| Sep 30, 1997 | PIPESTONE, MN | N9005T | Serious (1) | substantial | the fracture of the pitch control rod assembly. |
| Jul 13, 1997 | CROSSETT, AR | N83701 | Serious (1) | substantial |
failure of maintenance personnel to perform an adequate inspection of the fuselage center frame and detect a fatigue fracture of a longeron tube on th…failure of maintenance personnel to perform an adequate inspection of the fuselage center frame and detect a fatigue fracture of a longeron tube on the upper left side of the center frame, which resulted in a disconnect of the tail rotor drive shaft from the transmission, loss of yaw (anti-torque) control, and a subsequent hard (emergency) landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. |
| Jul 05, 1997 | ROOSEVELT, UT | N8537F | Serious (1) | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Wind gusts were a factor. |
| Jun 24, 1995 | ZILLAH, WA | N1968H | Serious (1) | substantial |
THE FAILURE OF COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PERFORM ADEQUATE INSPECTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL ROD DUE TO CORRO…THE FAILURE OF COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PERFORM ADEQUATE INSPECTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL ROD DUE TO CORROSION. |
| Jun 20, 1995 | LIVINGSTON, AL | N101VB | Serious (1) | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Feb 20, 1995 | SONOMA, CA | N1309X | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout for obstructions during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident were the …the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout for obstructions during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his decision to fly with an inadequately cleaned bubble which partially obstructed his vision. Sun glare was an additional factor in the accident. |
| May 31, 1994 | FRIENDSVILLE, MD | N121CD | Serious (1) | destroyed |
THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE TURBINE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, DURING AN AGRICULTURE MANEUVER AT LOW ALTITUDE, OVER TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR AN AUT…THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE TURBINE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, DURING AN AGRICULTURE MANEUVER AT LOW ALTITUDE, OVER TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR AN AUTOROTATION. |
| 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 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. |
| Aug 21, 1992 | MARSHALL, IN | N203SD | Serious (1) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. |
| Aug 15, 1992 | SLOCOMB, AL | N2880B | Serious (1) | substantial | A HARD LANDING DUE TO A POWER LOSS FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUSTABLE TERRAIN FOR THE LANDING. |
| Jun 21, 1992 | PAGO PAGO, PO | N211CB | Serious (1) | substantial | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION IN FAILING TO ENSURE THAT ALL SKID TIEDOWNS WERE REMOVED PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. |
| Apr 30, 1992 | DOUSMAN, WI | N52HB | Serious (1) | substantial | THE IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF THE SWASH PLATE DRIVE LINK BOLT WHICH ALLOWED THE SWASH PLATE DRIVE ASSEMBLY TO DISCONNECT. |
| Nov 24, 1991 | TEXARKANA, TX | N8134J | Serious (1) | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN HELICOPTERS. |
| May 15, 1991 | HUGHESVILLE, PA | N2619B | Serious (1) | destroyed | THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE FORCED LANDING AREA. |
| Nov 01, 1990 | GATLINBURG, TN | N49DA | Serious (1) | destroyed |
THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE HELICOPTER, ALLOWING A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT BEARING TO EXCEED WEAR LIMITS. THIS RESULTED IN HIGH LOAD…THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE HELICOPTER, ALLOWING A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT BEARING TO EXCEED WEAR LIMITS. THIS RESULTED IN HIGH LOADS ON THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, AND THE RESULTING FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. |
| Oct 11, 1990 | MERCED, CA | N477JM | Serious (1) | destroyed | LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. |
| Aug 14, 1990 | STOCKBRIDGE, MI | N3656F | Serious (1) | destroyed | THE RESTRICTED VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED FROM THE CANOPY FOGGING UP. |
| May 14, 1990 | WYNNE, AR | N41SD | Serious (1) | substantial | LANDING GEAR SKID ENTANGLED WITH A FUEL HOSE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. |
| Apr 18, 1990 | OAKDALE, MN | N5120B | Serious (1) | substantial | A SLIPPING ROTOR DRIVE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY COMPANY PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE STATIC WIRES IN THE PATH. |