Bell 47 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 744 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2023 | Mifflinville, PA | N1503L | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight. |
| Jul 04, 2023 | Sainte-Marthe, FR | F-GKTR | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jul 30, 2019 | Limpopo Province, SF | ZS-HGY | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 06, 2018 | Arlington, IN | N96195 | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The inflight separation of the upper transmission due to the thread failure of transmission housing attachment bolts, which were installed on the heli…The inflight separation of the upper transmission due to the thread failure of transmission housing attachment bolts, which were installed on the helicopter with thread damage from a prior installation. |
| May 25, 2018 | Ciudad Valles, MX | XB-OSS | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 05, 2018 | Libourne, FR | FGGLB | Fatal (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Sep 18, 2017 | Llano Bonito de Pococí, CS | TI-BGH | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| May 13, 2016 | Portia, AR | N48316 | Fatal | substantial |
The pilot's decision to perform a sliding takeoff from the elevated platform, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the right skid plate caught on…The pilot's decision to perform a sliding takeoff from the elevated platform, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the right skid plate caught on a protruding screw. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately inspect the landing platform before flight. |
| Jun 20, 2015 | Salinas, CA | N4427F | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The non-instrument-rated pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation an…The non-instrument-rated pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by high-dose opioid use. |
| Aug 12, 2014 | MANSFIELD, IL | N7089J | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medic…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude flight in gusting wind conditions following his use of a sedating medication. |
| Aug 10, 2014 | Jeanerette, LA | N4690 | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot’s improper decision to operate an unairworthy helicopter, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain. |
| Jun 19, 2013 | Maplewood, MN | N5024N | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no malfuncti…The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Dec 01, 2012 | Walkerville, MI | N3755Z | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's dec…The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude, which did not provide enough margin to recover from the descent. |
| Jul 24, 2010 | Rochester, MN | N124SH | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to a high-cycle fatigue fracture of a first-stage compressor blade. The reason for the fracture could not be determ…The total loss of engine power due to a high-cycle fatigue fracture of a first-stage compressor blade. The reason for the fracture could not be determined during postaccident examination. |
| Jul 24, 2008 | Mayville, WI | N24HM | Fatal (1) | minor | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the rotating rotor blades after he exited the helicopter after landing. |
| May 27, 2007 | Hayden, AL | N7763 | Fatal (1) | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during hover, following a bounced landing. |
| May 12, 2007 | Ciudad Victoria, MX | N25802 | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 20, 2006 | East Hanover Tw, PA | N22MP | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's improper decision to hover out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was…The pilot's improper decision to hover out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the tailwind. |
| Aug 04, 2004 | Bunnell, FL | N232MC | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's continued flights and inadequate inspections after repeated tail rotor guard ground strikes due to improper flaring, which resulted in an …The pilot's continued flights and inadequate inspections after repeated tail rotor guard ground strikes due to improper flaring, which resulted in an in-flight failure of tail rotor drive shaft components, a loss of control, and the helicopter crash. |
| Oct 21, 2003 | Balm, FL | N73979 | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's intentional buzzing and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a building. |
| Jun 13, 2003 | Porterville, CA | N9017N | Fatal (1) | destroyed | loss of control for undetermined reasons. |
| Sep 25, 2002 | Edmondson, AR | N5193B | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high voltage power lines. |
| May 25, 2002 | Yauco, PR | N6SR | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the fo…The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the forced landing. A factor was weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. |
| 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. |
| Dec 14, 2000 | BUGA, CO | HK269 | Fatal (3) | substantial | Investigation pending |