How many accidents has the Bell 47 had?

The NTSB has recorded 744 events involving the Bell 47: 84 fatal, 96 serious, 169 minor injuries, and 391 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Bell 47 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Bell 47 has 744 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Bell 47 Safety Record

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

744

All Events

391

Incidents

169

Minor

Serious

Fatal (106 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Nov 04, 1989	WESTFIELD, MA	N57919	Minor	substantial	LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TAIL ROTOR STRIKING THE GROUND AND SEPARATING FROM THE HELICOPTER.
Oct 28, 1989	WEST PALM BEACH, FL	N6359E	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.
Sep 25, 1989	CORVALLIS, OR	N47VS	Minor	destroyed	STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL WHILE PERFORMING HOVERING AUTOROTATIONS, AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STU… STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL WHILE PERFORMING HOVERING AUTOROTATIONS, AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT'S ACTIONS, WHICH RESULED IN HARD LANDINGS. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY WEAKENED STRUCTUALLY AS A RESULT OF CORROSION.
Aug 15, 1989	WASECA, MN	N8471E	Minor	substantial	INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE),… INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE), AND CROP (BEANS) WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Jun 24, 1989	CENTRALIA, WA	N1161N	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS CLEARANCE OVER TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT TAIL ROTOR STRIKE WITH THE TREES AND LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE TR… THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS CLEARANCE OVER TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT TAIL ROTOR STRIKE WITH THE TREES AND LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE TREES WERE A RELATED FACTOR.
Jun 22, 1989	DYER, NV	N59414	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOTS POOR PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING A HOVER IN UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ROTOR ROM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE A… THE PILOTS POOR PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING A HOVER IN UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ROTOR ROM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALT.
May 30, 1989	KEYSTONE HGTS., FL	N53SP	Minor	substantial	THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM BECAME DISCONNECTED DUE TO A BENT TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. THE TREES CONTRIBUTED TO THE HELICOPTER DAMAGE.
Apr 29, 1989	MILTON-FREEWTR, OR	N4072G	Minor	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.
Dec 26, 1988	NEWBERG, OR	N8587F	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 10, 1988	CHAMPION, NY	N2AR	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT DUE TO A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT ACCOMPANIED BY A POWER LOSS AT A LOW ALTITUDE.
Oct 13, 1988	Cottonwood Canyon, NV	N46073	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 11, 1988	BIDDEFORD, ME	N14861	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 05, 1988	OCEANO, CA	N1316X	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 30, 1988	COVE GAP, PA	N48181	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 11, 1988	OCEANSIDE, CA	N73969	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Sep 30, 1987	GRAND JUNCTION, CO	N7806S	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Aug 10, 1987	DOTHAN, AL	N10175	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 24, 1987	MARSTON MILLS, MA	N6355	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 23, 1987	HUNTSVILLE, AL	N972B	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 14, 1987	LISBON, OH	N984B	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 12, 1987	MILTON-FREEWATR, OR	N2219W	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Aug 07, 1986	HAZLETON, PA	N7739	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 21, 1986	NAHCOTTA, WA	N7092J	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jul 12, 1986	WALTHAMER, ME	N7861S	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 29, 1986	PANAMA CITY BCH, FL	N10065	Minor	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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Bell 47 Safety Record

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