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 15, 2005 | Black Oak, AR | N4087L | Incident | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Jul 05, 2005 | Oroville, WA | N38926 | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the throttle cable housing, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position. Contributing factors were the trees and th…The failure of the throttle cable housing, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position. Contributing factors were the trees and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. |
| Jun 19, 2005 | Brewster, WA | N8554F | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent anti-torque pedal input, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with trees while hovering. |
| May 25, 2005 | Bakersfield, CA | N110DT | Serious (1) | destroyed | the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. |
| May 19, 2005 | Twin Brooks, SD | N8505F | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate lookout and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A factor was the low altitude at which the helicopter was …The pilot's inadequate lookout and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A factor was the low altitude at which the helicopter was operating. |
| May 19, 2005 | Brush, CO | N59403 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the truck trailer during takeoff. A factor contributing to this accident was the truck trailer. |
| Oct 31, 2004 | San Martin, CA | N903B | Incident | substantial | A loss of power for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 14, 2004 | Muncie, IN | N96MB | Incident | destroyed |
The engine failure for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's inability to properly level-off for landing due to the low rotor speed, which resulted …The engine failure for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's inability to properly level-off for landing due to the low rotor speed, which resulted in the hard landing. The low altitude where the engine failure occurred was a factor. |
| Aug 05, 2004 | Troy, TX | N47713 | Incident | substantial | The flight instructor's improper flare, resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the high density altitude. |
| Aug 04, 2004 | Bunnell, FL | N232MC | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's continued flights and inadequate inspections after repeated tail rotor guard ground strikes due to improper flaring, which resulted in an …The pilot's continued flights and inadequate inspections after repeated tail rotor guard ground strikes due to improper flaring, which resulted in an in-flight failure of tail rotor drive shaft components, a loss of control, and the helicopter crash. |
| Aug 01, 2004 | La Porte, TX | N7892B | Serious (1) | destroyed | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 23, 2004 | Medford, OR | N73909 | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering. Trees were a factor. |
| Apr 03, 2004 | Bakersfield, CA | N7NB | Serious (1) | substantial |
a loss of tail rotor drive due to a disconnection of the drive shaft's splined coupling at the tail rotor gear box. The splined coupling to tail roto…a loss of tail rotor drive due to a disconnection of the drive shaft's splined coupling at the tail rotor gear box. The splined coupling to tail rotor gear box disconnection occurred as a result of tail boom flexing due to the combined effects of an uninstalled structural support tube and a crack in left side frame tubes. Inadequate maintenance inspection was a factor. |
| Feb 13, 2004 | Kremmling, CO | N83702 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to attain landing flare and maintain adequate rotor rpm. |
| Feb 11, 2004 | Salome, AZ | N8AG | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from trees while approaching the landing zone. |
| Nov 18, 2003 | Monmouth, OR | N7825S | Serious (1) | substantial | Fatigue failure of a tail rotor blade during hover operations. |
| Oct 21, 2003 | Balm, FL | N73979 | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's intentional buzzing and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a building. |
| Oct 14, 2003 | Schaumburg, IL | N90463 | Incident | substantial | The commercial pilot not maintaining directional control of the helicopter and the improper flare initiated before landing. |
| Sep 13, 2003 | Greenfield, CA | N7060J | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout. |
| Sep 12, 2003 | Diamond, OR | N48020 | Serious (1) | substantial | Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during hover. |
| Sep 02, 2003 | Chino, CA | N64580 | Serious (1) | substantial |
the student pilot's inappropriate remedial action through the application of excessive aft cyclic during a run-on landing. A factor in the accident w…the student pilot's inappropriate remedial action through the application of excessive aft cyclic during a run-on landing. A factor in the accident was the student's disregard for company procedures. |
| Jul 30, 2003 | Jackson, NJ | N7796C | Incident | substantial |
Pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove a pesticide spraying hose from the helicopter prior to takeoff, which resulted in a loss…Pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove a pesticide spraying hose from the helicopter prior to takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control. |
| Jul 20, 2003 | Porterville, CA | N4774S | Incident | substantial | Fatigue-induced failure of bolts in the helicopter's rotor drive flange, which resulted in a total loss of torque to the rotor drive shaft. |
| Jul 15, 2003 | Cleveland, MN | N7925J | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and low altitude flight when he failed to maintain altitude/clearance from the transmission wire. A factor cont…The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and low altitude flight when he failed to maintain altitude/clearance from the transmission wire. A factor contributing to the accident was the transmission wire. |
| Jul 06, 2003 | Salinas, CA | N7938J | Incident | substantial | The failure of a piston connecting rod during an aerial application, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing. |