Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2000 | COVINGTON, TN | N818HJ | Incident | substantial |
the pilot allowed the helicopter to get too low while hovering, which resulted in the tail rotor striking the ground, the separation of the blade, and…the pilot allowed the helicopter to get too low while hovering, which resulted in the tail rotor striking the ground, the separation of the blade, and subsequent force landing. |
| May 27, 2000 | FORT WALTON BCH, FL | N96MB | Incident | substantial | The unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command during the forced landing and the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| May 09, 2000 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | N14408 | Incident | substantial | The improper touchdown performed by the flight instructor. |
| Mar 07, 2000 | Wasco, CA | N1354X | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Factors included the ambient carburetor icing conditions and th…The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Factors included the ambient carburetor icing conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Feb 16, 2000 | RIVERBANK, CA | N4754R | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's failure to verify that ground personnel had disconnected the loading hose from the hopper before takeoff, resulting in restricted directio…the pilot's failure to verify that ground personnel had disconnected the loading hose from the hopper before takeoff, resulting in restricted directional control and a hard landing. |
| Nov 27, 1999 | COUDERSPORT, PA | N940B | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper preflight planning and decision to attempt a takeoff with the passenger from the confined area. |
| Sep 23, 1999 | TREMONTON, UT | N83246 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while attempting a precautionary autorotation landing. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermin…The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while attempting a precautionary autorotation landing. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 17, 1999 | ARDMORE, OK | N1774 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the high density altitude. |
| Aug 08, 1999 | SELMA, AL | N6712D | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper touchdown point during landing causing the landing skid to become entangled with the edge of the helipad pl…The pilot's failure to maintain the proper touchdown point during landing causing the landing skid to become entangled with the edge of the helipad platform and the resultant rollover and main rotor blade strike of the tow vehicle. |
| Jul 17, 1999 | SOUR LAKE, TX | N4002G | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter's fuel system resulting in the total loss of engine power as a result of water contaminatio…The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter's fuel system resulting in the total loss of engine power as a result of water contamination. Factors were the incorrect filter installed on the fueling truck and the pilot's improper touchdown technique. |
| Jun 13, 1999 | AUSTIN, MN | N64292 | Incident | substantial |
The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the helicopter, which precluded an…The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the helicopter, which precluded an emergency autorotation, and the crop field. |
| Jun 10, 1999 | PENDLETON, OR | N24MP | Incident | substantial |
A fouled external load cable, and the pilot's operation of the helicopter with a non-approved external bucket installation, resulting in misrouted hyd…A fouled external load cable, and the pilot's operation of the helicopter with a non-approved external bucket installation, resulting in misrouted hydraulic lines and consequent malfunction of the external load release system. |
| Apr 19, 1999 | THOMASTOWN, MS | N32PH | Incident | substantial |
An in-flight loss of control caused by the main rotor severing the tail rotor drive shaft as a result of the pilot's cyclic pull-up into a tailwind fo…An in-flight loss of control caused by the main rotor severing the tail rotor drive shaft as a result of the pilot's cyclic pull-up into a tailwind for his second approach and landing. The loss of the tail rotor caused an uncontrollable descent and tree strike with the main rotor and in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to make a downwind approach and landing. |
| Dec 30, 1998 | MURFREESBORO, TN | N123NM | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate flare and his diverted attention, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Dec 12, 1998 | HELENDALE, CA | N9021R | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to follow proper procedures to recover from main rotor blade aerodynamic retreating blade stall. |
| Dec 04, 1998 | WINTERHAVEN, CA | N3084G | Incident | substantial | The failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm. A factor was his attempt to take off over gross weight. |
| Sep 17, 1998 | ARDMORE, OK | N1575 | Incident | substantial | The pilots failure to maintain clearance with terrain and the ensuing loss of control. |
| Aug 29, 1998 | DAWSON, GA | N4702S | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing resulting in debris being blown up during landing resulting in damage to the tail rotor and lo…The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing resulting in debris being blown up during landing resulting in damage to the tail rotor and loss of control. |
| Aug 23, 1998 | CARROLLTON, AL | N7162M | Incident | substantial |
The pilots failure to follow written instructions in the flight manual for an engine failure, and the improper use of flight controls (cyclic/collecti…The pilots failure to follow written instructions in the flight manual for an engine failure, and the improper use of flight controls (cyclic/collective) during an autorotation resulting in a hard landing, and collision of the main rotor blades with the tailboom assembly. Contributing to the accident was the improper installation of circlips on the counterweight assembly during an engine overhaul. This resulted in a subsequent total failure of the number 5 connecting rod. |
| Aug 17, 1998 | MONETTE, AR | N2795A | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control. A factor was his lack of total flight experience in helicopters. |
| Jul 30, 1998 | PLAINVIEW, MN | N90529 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's not achieving the proper descent rate prior to touchdown. A factor related to the accident was fuel starvation due to a low fuel level. |
| Jul 29, 1998 | MONTICELLO, MS | N1016A | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering resulting in the main rotor blades striking the ground. |
| Jul 17, 1998 | OLATHE, CO | N92HA | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in an encounter with his own wake turbulence. Related factors were high density altitude and…The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in an encounter with his own wake turbulence. Related factors were high density altitude and wake turbulence. |
| Jun 14, 1998 | SHAFTER, CA | N110DT | Incident | substantial | The aircraft's encounter with settling with power, which resulted from the pilot's decision to perform a steep downwind approach. |
| May 28, 1998 | BUNNELL, FL | N182JR | Incident | substantial | The pilot-in-command(CFI) failure to maintain control of the aircraft. |