Bell 47 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

744

All Events

391

Incidents

169

Minor

96

Serious

84

Fatal (106 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Apr 02, 1990 Hillsboro, OR N9449J Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Dec 04, 1989 ARDMORE, OK N2202C Serious (1) substantial PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY TAIL WINDS.
Nov 25, 1989 EWELL, AL N1358X Serious (2) substantial
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S …

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN THE DEMONSTRATED AUTOROTATION SO AS TO PRECLUDE AN ACCIDENT, IN THE EVENT THAT POWER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Nov 02, 1989 LOXAHATCHEE, FL N93067 Serious (2) substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER PULLING UP FROM A SWATH RUN. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF TREES.
Aug 14, 1989 WISCONSIN DELLS, WI N49HB Serious (1) substantial
ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXCEED THE HOVER PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, AND OPERATING OUTSIDE THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. THE PIL…

ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXCEED THE HOVER PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, AND OPERATING OUTSIDE THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE AND PLAN PROPERLY FOR THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT ARE FACTORS.

Jun 02, 1989 BUENA, WA N41721 Serious (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND CLEARANCE TO AVOID THE POWER LINES.
Apr 17, 1989 MIAMI, FL N342L Serious (2) substantial
THE UNQUALIFIED PERSONS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE FENCE. PRESSURE INDUCED BY OTHERS, LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL …

THE UNQUALIFIED PERSONS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE FENCE. PRESSURE INDUCED BY OTHERS, LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS ACCIDENT.

Feb 01, 1989 STRATHMORE, CA N2918W Serious (1) destroyed
IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SERVICE TRUCK. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDEN…

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SERVICE TRUCK. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE) AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE SERVICE VEHICLE.

Dec 02, 1988 ALLEN, TX N74124 Serious (1) substantial
UNQUALIFIED PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN LEVELING THE HELICOPTER DURING THE FLARE AND CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE …

UNQUALIFIED PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN LEVELING THE HELICOPTER DURING THE FLARE AND CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT.

Jun 25, 1988 NEWBURYPORT, MA N51711 Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 25, 1988 TERRY, MT N2243W Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 15, 1988 BENOIT, MS N73947 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 08, 1987 MC INTOSH, AL N1200W Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 21, 1987 GRANDVIEW, WA N74161 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 02, 1987 PAYSON, AZ N73916 Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 02, 1987 STOCKTON, CA N28938 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Nov 28, 1986 JAMESBURG, NJ N7579 Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 31, 1986 LIHUE, HI N700EC Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 29, 1986 ALBANY, OR N9417A Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 08, 1986 PORTERVILLE, CA N1316X Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 17, 1986 BROOTEN, MN N8122J Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 17, 1986 OVERTON, NV N3067G Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Feb 27, 1986 CASTAIC, CA N7802S Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Dec 12, 1985 KIMBERLY, ID N73208 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 17, 1985 SEDALIA, MO N3951U Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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