Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 1995 | JASPER, FL | N4702S | Incident | substantial |
IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR SYSTEM BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LO…IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR SYSTEM BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND ENGINE RUN-UP, AND THE CARBUETOR ICING CONDITIONS. |
| Nov 02, 1995 | PACIFIC OCEAN, PO | N99138 | Incident | destroyed |
failure of the pilot to maintain lateral control of the helicopter, while hovering in preparation for a precautionary landing next to a ship at sea. …failure of the pilot to maintain lateral control of the helicopter, while hovering in preparation for a precautionary landing next to a ship at sea. Factors relating to the accident were: the passenger's premature evacuation from the helicopter, and the resultant lateral imbalance of the helicopter as the passenger jumped. |
| Sep 21, 1995 | UNION CITY, TN | N616X | Incident | substantial | Failure of a #4 connecting rod bolt, which resulted in engine stoppage and a forced landing. |
| Sep 10, 1995 | YUMA, AZ | N7942J | Incident | substantial |
the failure of the pilot and company maintenance personnel to detect a crack in the clevis ears during the required daily inspection and the recent an…the failure of the pilot and company maintenance personnel to detect a crack in the clevis ears during the required daily inspection and the recent annual inspection. A factor in the accident was the improper welding and stress relief procedure used to assemble the components, which induced high residual stresses in the clevis ears and led to fatigue cracking of the part. |
| Aug 22, 1995 | SIDNEY, OH | N9115R | Incident | substantial |
the student pilot's abrupt touchdown while landing in a field. Related factors are the student pilot's failure to attain the proper descent rate duri…the student pilot's abrupt touchdown while landing in a field. Related factors are the student pilot's failure to attain the proper descent rate during the approach to landing, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student. |
| Jul 31, 1995 | MONTROSE, GA | N6145C | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and visual lookout. |
| Jun 19, 1995 | ELKHORN, WI | N470RA | Incident | substantial |
loss of power as a result of an intake valve failure due to improper maintenance performed during the major engine overhaul, and pilot misjudgment of …loss of power as a result of an intake valve failure due to improper maintenance performed during the major engine overhaul, and pilot misjudgment of the flare during autorotation. |
| Jun 18, 1995 | COALINGA, CA | N7923J | Incident | destroyed |
clutch slippage for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the helicopter's low above ground altitude, which limited the pilot's time and…clutch slippage for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the helicopter's low above ground altitude, which limited the pilot's time and ability to recover main rotor rpm. |
| Jun 18, 1995 | BAKERSFIELD, CA | N73260 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain adequate lateral clearance from the irrigation standpipe while applying chemicals to a field. |
| May 30, 1995 | FALFURRIAS, TX | N1502L | Incident | substantial |
INADVERTENT INSTALLATION OF AN UNAPPROVED PART (TAIL ROTOR GEAR/DRIVE ASSEMBLY), THAT BECAME EXCESSIVELY WORN SINCE IT DID NOT CONFORM TO THE MANUFACT…INADVERTENT INSTALLATION OF AN UNAPPROVED PART (TAIL ROTOR GEAR/DRIVE ASSEMBLY), THAT BECAME EXCESSIVELY WORN SINCE IT DID NOT CONFORM TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE ASSOCIATED TAIL ROTOR BEARING (ALSO AN UNAPPROVED PART), LOSS OF CONTINUITY (DISCONNECT) OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM, AND A FORCED AUTOROTATION INTO AN AREA WITH TREES. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 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 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. |
| 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 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. |
| Apr 27, 1994 | SPRINGFIELD, MO | N46DH | Incident | substantial | the pilot-in-command misjudging the autorotation and improper use of collective. |
| 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. |
| Apr 13, 1994 | WILLCOX, AZ | N5827U | Incident | substantial | ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEM. |
| Apr 12, 1994 | TROUTDALE, OR | N2865B | Incident | substantial |
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE DUAL STUDENT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONT…THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE DUAL STUDENT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. ANOTHER FACTOR WAS UNFAVORABLE, GUSTY WINDS. |
| Mar 05, 1994 | AURORA, MO | N6711D | Incident | substantial | THE DUAL STUDENTS INADEQUATE FLARE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S (FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR) DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION. |