Bell 407 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 148 events recorded from 1996 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2015 | Justo Romero, NU | HR-AWI | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Nov 03, 2015 | San Antonio, TX | N496AE | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the No. 3 tail rotor adapter and shaft due to a loss of torque on the retaining nut. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a req…The failure of the No. 3 tail rotor adapter and shaft due to a loss of torque on the retaining nut. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a requirement to inspect the tail rotor assembly for security in the helicopter manufacturer's maintenance manual and the operator's approved aircraft inspection program. |
| Oct 30, 2015 | Cameron, LA | N420PH | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to remove a main rotor blade tiedown, which resulted in substantial damage to a main rotor blade when the engine was started. |
| Sep 24, 2015 | San Agustine Guatemala, GT | TG-PDF | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 13, 2015 | Chong Qing, China, CH | B-7702 | Fatal (4) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 22, 2015 | Tifalmin Village Papua New Guinea, PP | P2-HCB | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 09, 2015 | Zhejiang Province, P.R. China, CH | B-7723 | Fatal (2) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jun 28, 2015 | South Timbalier 127, USA | N311RL | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's lack of awareness of the severity of the gusting winds, which led to the helicopter being pushed off of the oil platform by a wind gust du…The pilot's lack of awareness of the severity of the gusting winds, which led to the helicopter being pushed off of the oil platform by a wind gust during engine start. Contributing to the accident was the unavailability of a nearby weather monitoring system. |
| Jun 08, 2015 | Pecan Island, LA | N501PH | Incident | substantial | The fatigue fracture of the tail rotor gearbox attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a subsequent hard landing. |
| May 02, 2015 | Morobe Province, PP | P2-HSL | Incident | — | Investigation pending |
| Mar 05, 2015 | Justin, TX | N41BH | Incident | substantial | Abnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft. |
| Nov 11, 2014 | Viosca Knoll 989, USA | N373RL | Incident | — | Engine power surges during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident testing of the engine and the engine control unit. |
| Sep 11, 2014 | Moab, UT | N142MA | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from terrain while landing on sloped terrain. |
| May 30, 2014 | Eugene Island 182A, USA | N1197 | Incident | — |
The improper repair of the outer combustion case, which led to its ultimate failure due to the continued progression of a fatigue crack and resulted i…The improper repair of the outer combustion case, which led to its ultimate failure due to the continued progression of a fatigue crack and resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff. |
| May 03, 2014 | Telluride, CO | N407MH | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the power turbine thrust (No. 5) bearing due to overheating as a result of oil starvation, which led to the engine failure. Also causal…The failure of the power turbine thrust (No. 5) bearing due to overheating as a result of oil starvation, which led to the engine failure. Also causal to the accident was an undocumented repair to the gearbox cover oil delivery tube port during which an insert was threaded into the oil delivery tube port that subsequently restricted the oil flow to the power turbine thrust bearing. |
| Apr 10, 2014 | Beijing, P.R. China, CH | B-7475 | Fatal (1) | substantial | <br /><br /> |
| Nov 16, 2013 | Rio Ablajo, HO | HR-AXO | Incident | substantial | <br /><br /> |
| Oct 13, 2013 | Gobierno, AR | LQ-BHT | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Aug 13, 2013 | Ship Shoal 208H, GM | N53LP | Minor | substantial |
The ingestion of vented methane gas into the helicopter’s engine during takeoff, which caused an engine compressor surge that led to a total loss of e…The ingestion of vented methane gas into the helicopter’s engine during takeoff, which caused an engine compressor surge that led to a total loss of engine power. |
| Jul 24, 2013 | Kedaranath, India, IN | VT-TBE | Fatal (2) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| May 31, 2013 | Columbia, MD | N407HC | Incident | substantial |
The short circuit failure of a tantalum capacitor, internal to the engine’s electronic control unit, resulting in an uncommanded shutdown of the engin…The short circuit failure of a tantalum capacitor, internal to the engine’s electronic control unit, resulting in an uncommanded shutdown of the engine in flight. |
| Dec 30, 2012 | Katra, India, IN | VT-PHH | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Dec 29, 2012 | Big Lake, TX | N534MT | Incident | substantial |
The loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the outer combustion case at the fuel nozzle port. Contributing to the accident was the operato…The loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the outer combustion case at the fuel nozzle port. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to conduct the recommended routine inspections of the outer combustion case. |
| Dec 25, 2012 | McAllen, TX | N489AE | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a parked helicopter during takeoff. |
| Nov 15, 2012 | Riverton, WY | N7160V | Incident | minor |
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot…The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow company operating specifications for minimum altitude. |