Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2019 | Montrose, CO | N1170W | Serious (1) | substantial | A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from attitude-induced unporting of the fuel. |
| Jul 13, 2019 | Mosby, MT | N3078G | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to account for environmental conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor ef…The pilot’s failure to account for environmental conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inappropriate application of power during the recovery. |
| Nov 02, 2018 | Wichita Falls, TX | N1159W | Serious (1) | destroyed | A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. |
| Jul 15, 2018 | Franklin, IN | N8568F | Serious (1) | destroyed | A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. |
| Feb 28, 2018 | Pixley, CA | N7800S | Serious (1) | substantial |
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight.…A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight due to impending rain. |
| Apr 21, 2016 | Los Fresnos, TX | N64702 | Serious (1) | destroyed | The pilot's inability to see and avoid the power lines because of trees obscuring his view. |
| Feb 27, 2015 | Ivanhoe, CA | N4774S | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. |
| Jul 18, 2014 | Merced, CA | N47DT | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering. |
| Jul 27, 2012 | Austin, IN | N652HA | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain during a low-level aerial application flight and lost control of the helicopter. |
| Sep 27, 2011 | Ahwahnee, CA | N9158R | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of control. |
| Aug 02, 2011 | Charles City, IA | N4771N | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| May 25, 2011 | Lakeville, MN | N96SH | Serious (1) | substantial | The loss of engine power due to a loose B-nut on the compressor discharge pressure bleed line. |
| Sep 03, 2010 | Salinas, CA | N4427F | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter …The pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control. |
| Jun 05, 2009 | San Marcos, TX | N8420E | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. |
| May 30, 2009 | Kyle, TX | N4823 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The ground crewmember's failure to assure that the fuel nozzle was closed before pressurizing the line. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a…The ground crewmember's failure to assure that the fuel nozzle was closed before pressurizing the line. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an available fire extinguisher. |
| 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. |
| 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 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. |
| May 25, 2005 | Bakersfield, CA | N110DT | Serious (1) | destroyed | the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. |
| 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. |
| Nov 18, 2003 | Monmouth, OR | N7825S | Serious (1) | substantial | Fatigue failure of a tail rotor blade during hover operations. |
| 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. |