Bell 407 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 148 events recorded from 1996 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 16, 2025 | Decatur, TX | N407WA | Minor | substantial |
The instructor candidate’s erroneous operation of the throttle during an autorotation from altitude with power recovery, which resulted in a hard land…The instructor candidate’s erroneous operation of the throttle during an autorotation from altitude with power recovery, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Bountiful, UT | N407SJ | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s improper decision to depart with inadequate clearance from a hangar door, resulting in the helicopter’s collision with the door. |
| Aug 03, 2024 | Raft River, ID | N20BH | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 11, 2024 | Stanley, ID | N21BH | Minor | substantial | A sudden wind shift which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent dynamic rollover and collision into water. |
| Mar 03, 2019 | Union Center, SD | N450AM | Minor | substantial |
The ambulance driver’s failure to see the helicopter’s rotating main rotor blades in dark night conditions, which resulted in the ambulance’s inadvert…The ambulance driver’s failure to see the helicopter’s rotating main rotor blades in dark night conditions, which resulted in the ambulance’s inadvertent collision with the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the ambulance driver's failure to follow procedures when approaching the helicopter. |
| Jul 07, 2017 | Topeka, KS | N650HP | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a building during landing. |
| Jun 03, 2016 | Mountain City, TN | N4999 | Minor | substantial |
An incorrect and unapproved repair of the engine compressor diffuser performed by a machinist at a repair facility, which resulted in failure of the c…An incorrect and unapproved repair of the engine compressor diffuser performed by a machinist at a repair facility, which resulted in failure of the compressor diffuser aft plate and a partial loss of engine power. |
| Jul 22, 2015 | Tifalmin Village Papua New Guinea, PP | P2-HCB | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 11, 2014 | Moab, UT | N142MA | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from terrain while landing on sloped terrain. |
| 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. |
| Aug 31, 2012 | Bath, NY | N11SP | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's improper recovery from an in-flight upset, which resulted in the main rotor striking and separating the tail boom. Contributing to the acc…The pilot's improper recovery from an in-flight upset, which resulted in the main rotor striking and separating the tail boom. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter manufacturer's failure to warn pilots of unanticipated and unequal aft cyclic pressure in the single-pilot configured helicopter compared to the dual-pilot configured helicopter, which resulted in the in-flight upset when the pilot momentarily let go of the cyclic control. |
| Aug 04, 2012 | Tlaxco, MX | XC-SSP | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 14, 2012 | Aberdeen, SD | N509MT | Minor | substantial | The fatigue failure of two turbine engine blades due to vibration. |
| Mar 23, 2012 | Delray Beach, FL | N31PB | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s improper response to a simulated engine failure and the instructor’s delayed and improper remedial action. |
| Dec 13, 2011 | Rock Springs, WY | N8067Z | Minor | substantial | The unauthorized operation of the helicopter by a non-certificated and unqualified individual who failed to maintain helicopter control. |
| Sep 25, 2008 | Talbot Bay, AS | VH-NSH | Minor | substantial | None |
| Aug 16, 2007 | Gulf of Mexico, USA | N433PH | Minor | — | Fatigue failure of the power turbine outer shaft for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 05, 2000 | LAKE PLACID, FL | N234BH | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to establish/maintain a safe rate of descent during approach to landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's incorrect altimete…The pilot's failure to establish/maintain a safe rate of descent during approach to landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's incorrect altimeter (Kollsman) setting, smoke, and dark night conditions. |
| Aug 17, 1999 | GEORGETOWN, DE | N97SP | Minor | destroyed | The pilot's improper preflight evaluation of the weather, which resulted in inadvertent flight into IMC. Factors were the fog, and night conditions. |
| Sep 18, 1997 | Grand Isle S108, USA | N467PH | Minor | substantial |
The tail rotor blade strike(s) that severed the aft portion of the tailboom, subsequently rendering the pilot with no tail rotor control while in crui…The tail rotor blade strike(s) that severed the aft portion of the tailboom, subsequently rendering the pilot with no tail rotor control while in cruise flight. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced autorotative landing. |