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
Feb 23, 2024	Garey, CA	N2618W	Minor	substantial	Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly check the torque paint on a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in the loosening of the B-nut, a loss … Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly check the torque paint on a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in the loosening of the B-nut, a loss of engine power at a low altitude, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Jun 28, 2021	Brasstown, NC	N147AH	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inflight loss of control while conducting a hovering maneuver.
Jan 01, 2021	Marana, AZ	N74823	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 18, 2019	King City, CA	N7060J	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.
Aug 02, 2018	Custer, SD	N347BH	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s mismanagement of rotor RPM and subsequent forced landing on uneven terrain which led to a dynamic rollover.
Sep 17, 2017	Salinas, CA	N3285T	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a wire.
Jun 09, 2016	Laureles, TX	N6203N	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to apply additional engine power when he applied collective input, which led to a loss of rotor speed and the exceedance of the he… The pilot's failure to apply additional engine power when he applied collective input, which led to a loss of rotor speed and the exceedance of the helicopter’s performance capability.
Apr 29, 2016	San Ardo, CA	N6288N	Minor	substantial	The failure of the pin in the outboard end of the lateral flight control torque tube.
Mar 02, 2016	Agua Dulce, CA	N568TB	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to set the appropriate collective friction prior to releasing the collective in flight, which resulted in decreased main rotor pit… The pilot's failure to set the appropriate collective friction prior to releasing the collective in flight, which resulted in decreased main rotor pitch, settling with power, and an impact with terrain.
Feb 13, 2016	Carson City, NV	N1181W	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a dynamic rollover.
Oct 05, 2015	Huntsville, TX	N160CS	Minor	substantial	The pilot's loss of helicopter control during an agricultural application pass for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of damage to… The pilot's loss of helicopter control during an agricultural application pass for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of damage to the flight control system.
Jul 25, 2015	De Queen, AR	N1420W	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to conduct helicopter performance planning, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with a truck and terrain during t… The pilot's failure to conduct helicopter performance planning, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with a truck and terrain during takeoff from an elevated platform.
Jul 11, 2014	Kingston, WA	N88771	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing approach, which resulted in an excessive descent angle and settling with power.
May 03, 2014	El Monte, CA	N7895B	Minor	substantial	A partial loss of engine power during climbout due to a malfunctioning magneto and spark plugs.
Jan 21, 2014	Pell City, AL	N93067	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s use of an improper clutch engagement procedure, which resulted in clutch glazing, slippage, and, ultimately, the in-flight disengagement o… The pilot’s use of an improper clutch engagement procedure, which resulted in clutch glazing, slippage, and, ultimately, the in-flight disengagement of the clutch and a loss of rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident were the installation of a light-weight clutch assembly and a higher horsepower engine, both of which increased the tendency for clutch slippage, and inadequate inspection of the clutch assembly.
Jul 06, 2013	Plover, WI	N7924S	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain proper engine rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and ground impact.
Jan 03, 2013	Five Points, CA	N14841	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a telephone pole during a low-level maneuver.
Aug 21, 2011	Los Banos, CA	N948DS	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power poles while maneuvering during low-altitude operations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mar 17, 2007	Huntsville, AL	N471KC	Minor	destroyed	The loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons.

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.

← Bell 47 For Sale All Bell Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Looking to buy a Bell 47? View 8 Bell 47 for sale ↓

Bell 47 Safety Record

Report an Issue