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 01, 2008 | Mullen, NE | N8468E | Incident | substantial |
The plot's distraction with the chemical load resulting the failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor was no suitable terrain for landi…The plot's distraction with the chemical load resulting the failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor was no suitable terrain for landing. |
| Jun 01, 2008 | Carrollton, OH | N74898 | Incident | substantial | The airframe vibration for an undetermined reason. |
| Apr 11, 2008 | Denio, NV | N24SD | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent hard landing induced by a perceived loss of power and a main transmission anomaly while maneuvering at low altitude. |
| Oct 17, 2007 | Wautoma, WI | N73223 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter resulting from a distraction in the cockpit. A contributing factor was the distraction due …The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter resulting from a distraction in the cockpit. A contributing factor was the distraction due to the dog in the cockpit. |
| Sep 12, 2007 | Avondale, CO | N360SS | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to attain translational lift and his improper flare. A contributing factor in this accident was the sudden wind shift. |
| Aug 24, 2007 | Anoka, MN | N25LB | Minor | substantial |
The loss of helicopter pitch control for undetermined reasons during the aerial application maneuver and the pilot's inability to control the aircraft…The loss of helicopter pitch control for undetermined reasons during the aerial application maneuver and the pilot's inability to control the aircraft during the descent.. A contributing factor to the accident was the soft terrain. |
| Jul 11, 2007 | Mercedes, TX | N7878 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission line. |
| Jul 10, 2007 | Jesup, IA | N8140J | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter when it unexpectedly encountered a whirlwind shortly after takeoff. |
| May 27, 2007 | Hayden, AL | N7763 | Fatal (1) | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during hover, following a bounced landing. |
| May 12, 2007 | Ciudad Victoria, MX | N25802 | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Mar 17, 2007 | Huntsville, AL | N471KC | Minor | destroyed | The loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. |
| Sep 18, 2006 | Angels Camp, CA | N7762 | Incident | substantial |
a hard landing due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind shift encountered on final approach and his failure to maintain an adequate trans…a hard landing due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind shift encountered on final approach and his failure to maintain an adequate translational lift airspeed. |
| Sep 09, 2006 | Hayden, AL | N23947 | Incident | destroyed | engine fire for reasons undetermined. |
| Aug 23, 2006 | Sanborn, ND | N2251W | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during the aerial application flight. The power lines were a factor. |
| Jul 04, 2006 | Petersburg, WV | N6738D | Incident | substantial |
The passenger's inadvertent interference with the flight controls, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with the grou…The passenger's inadvertent interference with the flight controls, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with the ground. |
| May 30, 2006 | Sheridan, AR | N4086C | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack o…The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| May 23, 2006 | Soledad, CA | N4741R | Incident | substantial |
fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in a loss of engine po…fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in a loss of engine power. |
| May 10, 2006 | Rosenberg, TX | N993B | Minor | substantial | The pilots encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness during an aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. |
| Apr 20, 2006 | East Hanover Tw, PA | N22MP | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's improper decision to hover out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was…The pilot's improper decision to hover out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the tailwind. |
| Jan 13, 2006 | Dennison, TX | N1575 | Incident | substantial | The in-flight separation of the stabilizer bar tube. |
| Nov 10, 2005 | Rancho Murieta, CA | N16356 | Serious (1) | substantial |
a separation of the tail rotor assembly due to the reverse bending fatigue fracture of a tail rotor pitch change link bolt, resulting in a loss of con…a separation of the tail rotor assembly due to the reverse bending fatigue fracture of a tail rotor pitch change link bolt, resulting in a loss of control of the helicopter, and a hard landing during the uncontrolled descent. |
| Sep 15, 2005 | Summerville, TN | N8483E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance and adequate visual lookout during take-off which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree an…The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance and adequate visual lookout during take-off which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and roll over. |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Rock Springs, WY | N24SD | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the attempted autorotation after he experienced an engine overspeed that occurred for…the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the attempted autorotation after he experienced an engine overspeed that occurred for reasons undetermined. |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Swifton, AR | N862Z | Serious (2) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A contributing factor was sun glare. |
| Aug 16, 2005 | Monette, AR | N8494E | Incident | destroyed | The loss of control as result of a loss of hydraulic pressure for undetermined reasons. |