Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2006 | Rosenberg, TX | N993B | Minor | substantial | The pilots encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness during an aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. |
| Sep 15, 2005 | Summerville, TN | N8483E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance and adequate visual lookout during take-off which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree an…The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance and adequate visual lookout during take-off which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and roll over. |
| Jun 19, 2005 | Brewster, WA | N8554F | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent anti-torque pedal input, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with trees while hovering. |
| May 19, 2005 | Twin Brooks, SD | N8505F | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate lookout and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A factor was the low altitude at which the helicopter was …The pilot's inadequate lookout and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A factor was the low altitude at which the helicopter was operating. |
| Jun 04, 2003 | Franklinton, LA | N90485 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover due to his failure to properly remove the tie-down strap on the right skid prior to takeoff. Factors were…The pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover due to his failure to properly remove the tie-down strap on the right skid prior to takeoff. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and failure to abort takeoff. |
| May 12, 2003 | Robinson, TX | N4205D | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground while performing a quick stop maneuver which resulted in a dynamic rollover. |
| Mar 23, 2003 | Princetown, NY | N74120 | Minor | substantial |
The student's failure to maintain control while executing a takeoff to a hover, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. A factor in the …The student's failure to maintain control while executing a takeoff to a hover, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. A factor in the accident was the muddy ground. |
| Nov 02, 2002 | Pollock Pines, CA | N2616B | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstruction clearance during initial climb, which resulted in a collision with vegetation. |
| Aug 20, 2002 | Union, SC | N4702S | Minor | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. |
| Jun 24, 2002 | La Belle, FL | N8486E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lin…The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines and uncontrolled descent into terrain. |
| Jun 23, 2002 | Grand Lake, LA | N62446 | Minor | destroyed | the pilot's inability to control the helicopter in a hover due to the restricted movement of the cyclic for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 11, 2002 | Jordan, MN | N8542D | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power due to improper maintenance by unknown maintenance personnel which led to a misalignment of the gearbox casing. |
| Jan 21, 2002 | POCOCI, CS | TI-AXF | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Oct 19, 2001 | Jeffersonville, IN | N840WA | Minor | substantial |
The dual student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain, and the inadequat…The dual student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain, and the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor. A factor was the gusty wind condition. |
| Sep 27, 2001 | Grand Haven, MI | N46R | Minor | substantial | Aircraft control not maintained by the pilot. |
| Aug 11, 2001 | Strathmore, CA | N4262Y | Minor | destroyed | The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. |
| Jun 04, 2001 | Merseburg, GE | D-HAPP | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 22, 2000 | ECONOMY, IN | N14841 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting a landing on unsuitable terrain. A factor associated with the accident was th…The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting a landing on unsuitable terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the grass covered, down slope in the terrain. |
| Jul 16, 2000 | HOLSTEIN, NE | N83701 | Minor | substantial | the settling with power encountered by the pilot. A factor was the sudden windshift. |
| Jul 04, 2000 | HAINES, OR | N30DP | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to correctly judge his rate of descent and his failure to initiate his level off soon enough to keep the helicopter from impacting…The pilot's failure to correctly judge his rate of descent and his failure to initiate his level off soon enough to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain. Factors include hilly terrain near the edge of the field he was spraying. |
| Mar 12, 2000 | VACAVILLE, CA | N9763Z | Minor | substantial | Failure of the pilot to see wires and maintain clearance while flying at a low altitude. |
| Jul 02, 1999 | TRENTON, GA | N23590 | Minor | substantial | The loss of main rotor rpm due to improper use of the flight controls by the pilot. Factors were the tailwind and trees. |
| Sep 29, 1998 | OXFORD, MS | N755E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to vibration from the main rotor blade for undetermined reasons. A related finding was the im…The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to vibration from the main rotor blade for undetermined reasons. A related finding was the improper repair of a crack in the laminant of the blue main rotor blade by other maintenance personnel. |
| Jul 07, 1998 | SALINAS, CA | N7914S | Minor | destroyed | The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the telephone lines. |
| May 09, 1998 | FORT WALTON BCH, FL | N6714D | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |