Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 1995 | HARMON FIELD, | N6569H | Incident | substantial | an engine failure due to oil exhaustion from a missing oil pressure relief valve as the result of an improper maintenance inspection. |
| Feb 20, 1995 | SONOMA, CA | N1309X | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout for obstructions during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident were the …the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout for obstructions during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his decision to fly with an inadequately cleaned bubble which partially obstructed his vision. Sun glare was an additional factor in the accident. |
| Feb 07, 1995 | CHINA LAKE, CA | N73240 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's misjudgement of the clearance between the main rotor and a tree while maneuvering at low altitude to herd animals. |
| Feb 01, 1995 | EL INDIO, TX | N6SR | Minor | destroyed | THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND. |
| Jan 17, 1995 | NATCHEZ, MS | N8462E | Minor | destroyed | INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER BY THE PILOT FOR HIS FAILURE TO SEPARATE THE DOLLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING FLIGHT. |
| Jan 03, 1995 | BUNNELL, FL | N6172 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while descending over a lake, resulting in an in-flight collision with water. |
| Oct 03, 1994 | DECATUR, IL | N5193B | Minor | substantial | the failure of the roller springs in the freewheeling unit of the transmission which caused the unit to disengage. |
| Sep 23, 1994 | MOORE HAVEN, FL | N30JJ | Incident | destroyed |
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual lookout while maneuvering on a swath run, resulting in an in-flight collision with wires, and subs…The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual lookout while maneuvering on a swath run, resulting in an in-flight collision with wires, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. |
| Sep 17, 1994 | PACIFIC OCEAN, PO | N2280W | Fatal (2) | substantial | an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons. |
| Sep 13, 1994 | HAZEL GREEN, AL | N908B | Incident | substantial | UNDETERMINED. |
| Aug 26, 1994 | LAKE CITY, MN | N19JM | Incident | substantial |
THE LOSS OF LIFT RESULTING FROM THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION TURN. THE POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE ENGINE WAS L…THE LOSS OF LIFT RESULTING FROM THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION TURN. THE POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE ENGINE WAS LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED TO REGAIN THE LOST ROTOR RPM. |
| Aug 16, 1994 | TRUK ISLAND, FM | N65678 | Fatal (1) | substantial | THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR BLADES AND THE COCONUT TREES. |
| Aug 11, 1994 | SARGEANT, MN | N64292 | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire during an agricultural spray run. A factor in the accident is the transmission wire…the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire during an agricultural spray run. A factor in the accident is the transmission wire. |
| Jul 30, 1994 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | N6749D | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL APPROPRIATELY, THE ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AT THE TIME THE ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. |
| Jul 02, 1994 | WAREHAM, MA | N59400 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadequate inflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. |
| Jun 15, 1994 | BALDWIN, IL | N4992G | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The inadequate maintenance (inspection of aircraft) by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Related…The inadequate maintenance (inspection of aircraft) by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Related factors are the unsafetied fuel filter, and low altitude at which the helicopter operated. |
| Jun 10, 1994 | MEDINA, MN | N73998 | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jun 04, 1994 | TULSA, OK | N2831B | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, HIS DELAYED LANDING FLARE, AND THE IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. |
| Jun 02, 1994 | CHINO, CA | N14412 | Incident | substantial | loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's failure to correctly configure the hydraulic system prior to takeoff. |
| May 31, 1994 | FRIENDSVILLE, MD | N121CD | Serious (1) | destroyed |
THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE TURBINE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, DURING AN AGRICULTURE MANEUVER AT LOW ALTITUDE, OVER TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR AN AUT…THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE TURBINE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, DURING AN AGRICULTURE MANEUVER AT LOW ALTITUDE, OVER TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR AN AUTOROTATION. |
| May 18, 1994 | SULPHUR, OK | N933B | Incident | substantial | THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF AN ENGINE ACCESSORY OIL PUMP GEAR. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE AUTOROTATION. |
| May 16, 1994 | TULSA, OK | N47GY | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS WHEN HE MANEUVERED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A …IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS WHEN HE MANEUVERED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A FLOCK OF BIRDS. FACTORS WERE THE BIRDS AND THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT SYNCHRONIZED ELEVATOR. |
| Apr 27, 1994 | SPRINGFIELD, MO | N46DH | Incident | substantial | the pilot-in-command misjudging the autorotation and improper use of collective. |
| Apr 22, 1994 | MARATHON, FL | N9660 | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE P…SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW THE PROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE AFTER A PREVIOUS TAIL ROTOR STRIKE, AND FAILURE TO CONDUCT A 100-HOUR INSPECTION WHEN DUE. |
| Apr 17, 1994 | YUMA, AZ | N304JP | Incident | substantial | an uncommanded engine deceleration to idle due to the improper installation of the throttle arm on the carburetor shaft. |