Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 1998 | JEANERETTE, LA | N13012 | Minor | substantial | The in-flight disconnect of the rotating scissors due to the separation of its hinge bolt. |
| Aug 17, 1997 | WELLPINIT, WA | N9571 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, and his failure to maintain rotor blade clearance from terrain during landing. |
| Jul 26, 1997 | MT. VERNON, OH | N35134 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM. |
| Jul 14, 1997 | IDAHO FALLS, ID | N8494E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot mismanaged his fuel supply which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the accident were the …The pilot mismanaged his fuel supply which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the accident were the lack of adequate altitude and airspeed to successfully execute an autorotation. |
| May 15, 1997 | SNOHOMISH, WA | N8491E | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's encounter with of a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) situation, and his subsequent inadequate remedial action. Related factors incl…the pilot's encounter with of a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) situation, and his subsequent inadequate remedial action. Related factors included: wind conditions that were conducive to an unanticipated right yaw event, and the pilot's limited experience in helicopters. |
| Dec 15, 1996 | LANTANA, FL | N1200Z | Minor | destroyed |
an undetermined throttle problem, which resulted in a stuck (binding) throttle; and inadequate remedial action by the pilot, which led to a hard landi…an undetermined throttle problem, which resulted in a stuck (binding) throttle; and inadequate remedial action by the pilot, which led to a hard landing and subsequent nose over. |
| Sep 19, 1996 | BELMONT, MS | N23PH | Minor | substantial |
failure of the aft universal joint of the tail rotor drive shaft, due to inadequate lubrication by company maintenance personnel. A factor relating t…failure of the aft universal joint of the tail rotor drive shaft, due to inadequate lubrication by company maintenance personnel. A factor relating to the accident was the pilot's delay in discontinuing the flight after noting a progressively worse tail rotor drive vibration. |
| Jul 09, 1996 | BARTOW, FL | N6356 | Minor | destroyed | the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain ground clearance, while maneuvering to avoid a collision with a utility line. |
| Jul 08, 1996 | CARVER, MA | N8591F | Minor | substantial | the pilot's inadequate visual look out for obstacles, which resulted in a collision with wires and the ground. |
| Oct 05, 1995 | FREER, TX | N4423 | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines due to his improper takeoff technique. A factor was the helicopter induced blowing dust…the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines due to his improper takeoff technique. A factor was the helicopter induced blowing dust which impaired the pilot's visibility. |
| Oct 03, 1995 | EDINBURG, TX | N6SR | Minor | substantial | the pilot's improper takeoff planning which resulted in the loss of conrol. A factor was the gusty crosswind condition. |
| Sep 26, 1995 | UNION CHURCH, MS | N92HA | Minor | substantial | inadequate maintenance lubrication and inspection of the main rotor head which resulted in the separation of a rod end bearing. |
| Aug 12, 1995 | ARLINGTON HTS, IL | N4032G | Minor | substantial |
plot misjudged the flare. The factors included the pilot getting too close to the lead helicopter, allowing his airspeed to get too slow, and encount…plot misjudged the flare. The factors included the pilot getting too close to the lead helicopter, allowing his airspeed to get too slow, and encountering settling with power. |
| Jun 18, 1995 | NIPOMO, CA | N115B | Minor | destroyed |
the pilot's improper handling of the helicopter by her failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the attempted maneuver resulting in an uncontrolle…the pilot's improper handling of the helicopter by her failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the attempted maneuver resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with the ground. |
| May 04, 1995 | MIDDLEBORO, MA | N444GW | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low altitude aerial application turn, which resulted in inadvertent settling with power and the subs…the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low altitude aerial application turn, which resulted in inadvertent settling with power and the subsequent collision with the terrain. |
| Feb 01, 1995 | EL INDIO, TX | N6SR | Minor | destroyed | THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND. |
| Jan 17, 1995 | NATCHEZ, MS | N8462E | Minor | destroyed | INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER BY THE PILOT FOR HIS FAILURE TO SEPARATE THE DOLLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING FLIGHT. |
| Jan 03, 1995 | BUNNELL, FL | N6172 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while descending over a lake, resulting in an in-flight collision with water. |
| Oct 03, 1994 | DECATUR, IL | N5193B | Minor | substantial | the failure of the roller springs in the freewheeling unit of the transmission which caused the unit to disengage. |
| Jul 02, 1994 | WAREHAM, MA | N59400 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadequate inflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. |
| Feb 28, 1994 | HANKSVILLE, UT | N4082J | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S DELAY IN RELEASING HIS TOW LINE WHEN THE LINE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH WIRES. |
| 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. |
| 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. |