Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 01, 2001 | Ardmore, OK | N5226 | Incident | substantial |
the flight instructor's selection of an unsuitable area for practicing a full touchdown autorotation, which resulted in a nose over. A contributing …the flight instructor's selection of an unsuitable area for practicing a full touchdown autorotation, which resulted in a nose over. A contributing factor was the soft ground. |
| 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. |
| Sep 07, 2001 | Berry, AL | N6327D | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the main rotor system stabilizer damper control horn assembly, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with a tre…The failure of the main rotor system stabilizer damper control horn assembly, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with a tree and terrain. |
| Aug 11, 2001 | Strathmore, CA | N4262Y | Minor | destroyed | The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. |
| Aug 05, 2001 | Blooming Prairi, MN | N440TG | Incident | substantial |
The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during a the cruise portion of a CFR part 137 observation, and the pilot not following the …The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during a the cruise portion of a CFR part 137 observation, and the pilot not following the height/velocity charts data. |
| Jul 26, 2001 | Wheeler, WI | N986B | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power transmission line. A factor to the accident was the power transmission line. |
| Jul 10, 2001 | Indianola, MS | N8478D | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper use of flight controls during an autorotation that resulted inn the collapse of the skids and cross tube assembly. A factor was t…The pilot's improper use of flight controls during an autorotation that resulted inn the collapse of the skids and cross tube assembly. A factor was the loss of engine power due to the failure of # 1 connecting rod and the overload failure of the skids and cross tub assembly. |
| Jul 06, 2001 | RIVERSIDE, CA | N64580 | Incident | substantial |
The engine crankshaft's failure as the result of fatigue cracking initiated by surface damage and localized overheating due to the installation at ove…The engine crankshaft's failure as the result of fatigue cracking initiated by surface damage and localized overheating due to the installation at overhaul of incorrectly sized bearings. |
| Jun 04, 2001 | Merseburg, GE | D-HAPP | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| May 31, 2001 | Buttonwillow, CA | N110DT | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision wi…The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude and a wind shift. |
| Mar 22, 2001 | Ardmore, OK | N1575 | Incident | substantial |
the loss of tail rotor control during maneuvering resultant from the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft coupling due to a stripped thread which all…the loss of tail rotor control during maneuvering resultant from the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft coupling due to a stripped thread which allowed the grease lubricating the shaft to leak out. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing (autorotation). |
| Feb 10, 2001 | Winterhaven, CA | N3084G | Incident | substantial | A failure of the transmission free wheeling unit due to improper maintenance. A factor was the dark night visual condition. |
| Feb 07, 2001 | Pixley, CA | N6260C | Incident | substantial | A loss of control during takeoff due to the helicopter's heavy gross weight condition that exceeded its lifting capability. |
| Dec 14, 2000 | BUGA, CO | HK269 | Fatal (3) | 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. |
| Sep 09, 2000 | PINE HILL, AL | N2243W | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter, which resulted in his failure to remove the tie down. |
| Sep 01, 2000 | CANTON, MS | N53SP | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the helicopter colliding with power lines, catching fire, and being consumed by fire after lan…The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the helicopter colliding with power lines, catching fire, and being consumed by fire after landing. |
| Aug 31, 2000 | SPRING BROOK, WI | N67083 | Incident | substantial | A fatigue failure of the tail rotor drive gear shaft. |
| Aug 05, 2000 | Stockton, CA | N39KH | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate planning by which he miscalculated fuel consumption which resulted in fuel exhaustion. |
| Jul 28, 2000 | KING CITY, CA | N7885S | Incident | substantial | The pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather which resulted in loss of visual reference and flight into power transmission wires and terrain. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |