Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 02, 2011 | Charles City, IA | N4771N | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Jul 31, 2011 | Porterville, CA | N6260C | Incident | substantial | The pilot's decision to takeoff in a tailwind condition, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient lift during the takeoff. |
| Jul 27, 2011 | Nicolett, MN | N7578 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. |
| Jul 20, 2011 | Watsonville, CA | N1375X | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. |
| Jun 18, 2011 | Montgomery City, MO | N24HM | Incident | substantial |
A loss of control during the precautionary landing, which resulted in inadvertent contact between the main rotor and the tailboom. Contributing to the…A loss of control during the precautionary landing, which resulted in inadvertent contact between the main rotor and the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the overloaded condition. |
| May 25, 2011 | Lakeville, MN | N96SH | Serious (1) | substantial | The loss of engine power due to a loose B-nut on the compressor discharge pressure bleed line. |
| Apr 06, 2011 | Torrance, CA | N9FK | Minor | substantial | The pilot did not maintain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover. |
| Sep 26, 2010 | Gaston, OR | N7860S | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance while landing on a transport trailer positioned on an uneven surface. |
| Sep 03, 2010 | Salinas, CA | N4427F | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter …The pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control. |
| Jul 24, 2010 | Rochester, MN | N124SH | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to a high-cycle fatigue fracture of a first-stage compressor blade. The reason for the fracture could not be determ…The total loss of engine power due to a high-cycle fatigue fracture of a first-stage compressor blade. The reason for the fracture could not be determined during postaccident examination. |
| Jun 13, 2010 | Plymouth, MI | N47WK | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which led to carburetor icing and a loss of engine power following takeoff. |
| Jun 08, 2010 | Shaw Island, WA | N7069J | Incident | substantial | The passenger's inadvertent movement of the mixture control during climb, resulting in a loss of engine power. |
| Jan 22, 2010 | Shafter, CA | N28938 | Minor | substantial |
The loss of a main rotor blade counterweight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to perform the initial and…The loss of a main rotor blade counterweight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to perform the initial and recurrent inspections required by a Service Bulletin to detect the corrosion in the counterweight. |
| Oct 02, 2009 | Dorrance, PA | N74004 | Incident | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 11, 2009 | Covert, MI | N9526 | Incident | substantial | A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of blocked fuel vents. |
| Jul 08, 2009 | Turlock, CA | N6768D | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM while maneuvering at a low altitude. |
| Jul 07, 2009 | Ocean Shores, WA | N8169J | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention. |
| Jun 05, 2009 | San Marcos, TX | N8420E | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. |
| May 30, 2009 | Kyle, TX | N4823 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The ground crewmember's failure to assure that the fuel nozzle was closed before pressurizing the line. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a…The ground crewmember's failure to assure that the fuel nozzle was closed before pressurizing the line. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an available fire extinguisher. |
| Oct 11, 2008 | Florence, AZ | N8567F | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for a wind shift encountered during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover. Contribu…The pilot’s inadequate compensation for a wind shift encountered during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover. Contributing to the accident was the encounter with the wind shift. |
| Aug 14, 2008 | Kenyon, MN | N47AH | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in the helicopter settling with power. |
| Jul 24, 2008 | Mayville, WI | N24HM | Fatal (1) | minor | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the rotating rotor blades after he exited the helicopter after landing. |
| Jul 24, 2008 | Lafetyette, IN | N4029G | Incident | substantial |
The loss of engine power during an aerial application flight due to a fatigue fracture of the carburetor heat control valve spring and the inadequate …The loss of engine power during an aerial application flight due to a fatigue fracture of the carburetor heat control valve spring and the inadequate maintenance inspection by the pilot/mechanic. An additional cause was the low altitude of the operation. |
| Jul 15, 2008 | Shafter, CA | N1390X | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night…The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night flight and the effect of that failure on the pilot's visual perception. |
| Jul 11, 2008 | Port Edwards, WI | N73995 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter when he inadvertently flared the helicopter and the rotor rpm decayed as a result of sustaining…The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter when he inadvertently flared the helicopter and the rotor rpm decayed as a result of sustaining bee stings during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accidnet included the bees and the low altitude. |