Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28, 2003 | Sandusky, MI | N8413D | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the ignition switch leading to an engine power loss in cruise flight and the subsequent high flare during autorotation. Factors contri…The failure of the ignition switch leading to an engine power loss in cruise flight and the subsequent high flare during autorotation. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot on landing. |
| Jun 13, 2003 | Porterville, CA | N9017N | Fatal (1) | destroyed | loss of control for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 04, 2003 | Franklinton, LA | N90485 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover due to his failure to properly remove the tie-down strap on the right skid prior to takeoff. Factors were…The pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover due to his failure to properly remove the tie-down strap on the right skid prior to takeoff. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and failure to abort takeoff. |
| May 12, 2003 | Robinson, TX | N4205D | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground while performing a quick stop maneuver which resulted in a dynamic rollover. |
| Mar 28, 2003 | Lehighton, PA | N17114 | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his continued flight operations with a known discrepancy. |
| Mar 23, 2003 | Princetown, NY | N74120 | Minor | substantial |
The student's failure to maintain control while executing a takeoff to a hover, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. A factor in the …The student's failure to maintain control while executing a takeoff to a hover, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. A factor in the accident was the muddy ground. |
| Jan 02, 2003 | Idaho Falls, ID | N4759R | Incident | substantial | In-flight loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Dec 01, 2002 | Panaca, NV | N48020 | Incident | substantial |
separation of the no. 6 cylinder intake valve head from the valve stem, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The mechanism responsible for the v…separation of the no. 6 cylinder intake valve head from the valve stem, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The mechanism responsible for the valve failure is unknown. |
| Nov 02, 2002 | Pollock Pines, CA | N2616B | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstruction clearance during initial climb, which resulted in a collision with vegetation. |
| Oct 19, 2002 | Highfalls, GA | N4002G | Incident | substantial |
The pilots inadequate fuel management, and subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and a in-flight collision with trees during an auto…The pilots inadequate fuel management, and subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and a in-flight collision with trees during an autorotation. A factor was the pilot's failure to insure that the required equipment (fuel gauge) was installed in the helicopter. |
| Sep 25, 2002 | Edmondson, AR | N5193B | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high voltage power lines. |
| Aug 25, 2002 | Oasis, CA | N8478H | Serious (1) | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. |
| Aug 20, 2002 | Union, SC | N4702S | Minor | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. |
| Jul 07, 2002 | Compton, CA | N2483B | Incident | substantial |
the failure and separation of a fan belt for the engine cooling system. A factor in the accident was the inadequate annual inspection 14 hours prior …the failure and separation of a fan belt for the engine cooling system. A factor in the accident was the inadequate annual inspection 14 hours prior to the accident. |
| Jun 24, 2002 | La Belle, FL | N8486E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lin…The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines and uncontrolled descent into terrain. |
| Jun 23, 2002 | Grand Lake, LA | N62446 | Minor | destroyed | the pilot's inability to control the helicopter in a hover due to the restricted movement of the cyclic for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 11, 2002 | Jordan, MN | N8542D | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power due to improper maintenance by unknown maintenance personnel which led to a misalignment of the gearbox casing. |
| Jun 08, 2002 | Nederland, CO | N999DW | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's inadvertent in-flight encounter with severe turbulence, which resulted in main rotor-tailboom contact and the separation of the tailrotor …the pilot's inadvertent in-flight encounter with severe turbulence, which resulted in main rotor-tailboom contact and the separation of the tailrotor drive shaft. |
| May 28, 2002 | Bunnell, FL | N6746D | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the student pilot to secure the rotorcraft floorboard mounted ballast, resulting in shifting of the ballast on liftoff, and the subsequ…The failure of the student pilot to secure the rotorcraft floorboard mounted ballast, resulting in shifting of the ballast on liftoff, and the subsequent dynamic rollover. |
| May 25, 2002 | Yauco, PR | N6SR | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the fo…The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the forced landing. A factor was weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. |
| May 24, 2002 | Muncie, IN | N1915B | Incident | destroyed |
The pilot did not maintain directional control during hover taxi. Inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the light rain, and the light…The pilot did not maintain directional control during hover taxi. Inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the light rain, and the light pole were factors in the accident. |
| May 21, 2002 | Marion, AL | N72MU | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while conducting an aerial application maneuver. A factor was the transmission line. |
| May 01, 2002 | Blairstown, NJ | N37731 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper flare, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in a tail strike. |
| Apr 26, 2002 | La Belle, FL | N14838 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance of a tree while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the tree and subsequent uncontrol…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance of a tree while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the tree and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. |
| Jan 21, 2002 | POCOCI, CS | TI-AXF | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |