# FAA incident reports: Bell 47G-5 A list on [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5.md). Matched to the registry by N-number and event date, newest first. Page 1 of 3 · 131 reports - [Accident 20230812011319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230812011319A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PA · Aug 12, 2023 · N1503L · Substantial damage · 1 fatal > A Bell 47 helicopter was aerial spraying a corn field located near [privacy data omitted]. When it contacted utility power lines with the left skid. Evidence showed at the scene, a portion of the left skid and spray boom with power wires attached were hanging… - [Accident 20180228009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180228009629A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Pixley, CA · Feb 28, 2018 · N7800S · Destroyed > On February 28, 2018, N7800S a Bell 47 helicopter operating under part 137 agriculture certificate was involved in an accident destroying the aircraft. During the investigation, it appears the aircraft ran out of fuel during its last pass dispensing… - [Accident 20160609024669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160609024669A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Laureles, TX · Jun 9, 2016 · N6203N · Substantial damage > During pull up maneuver pilot missed managed controls. This was due to lack of experience managing throttle control on a piston Bell 47. During an attempt to emergency land in residential back yard, aircraft made contact with tree and crash landed on side.… - [Accident 20160429005499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160429005499A.md): Bell 47G-5 · San Ardo, CA · Apr 29, 2016 · N6288N · Substantial damage > On April 29, 2016, near San Ardo, CA, N6288N, a Bell 47G-5, spraying a field with pesticide, entered a left turn and leveled off. The aircraft started shaking after the pilot heard a loud bang. Pilot reported that the aircraft then became hard to control… - [Accident 20150620011659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150620011659A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Jun 20, 2015 · N4427F · Destroyed · 1 fatal > A Bell 47G-5 crashed under unknown circumstances while crop dusting. - [Accident 20140812012689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140812012689A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Mansfield, IL · Aug 12, 2014 · N7089J · Destroyed · 1 fatal > While in cruise on a southwest heading, the helicopter came into contact with the top cables on a set of highlines running northwest to southeast. The rotor struck one of the lines as there was evidence melted into the leading edge of the main rotor. One of… - [Accident 20130911022579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130911022579A.md): Bell 47G-5 · King City, CA · Sep 11, 2013 · N7836S · Substantial damage > During aerial application activity, the pilot stated he heard a loud bang and made a hard landing on a dirt road 6 miles se of King City, CA. - [Accident 20110731017329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110731017329A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Pixley, CA · Jul 31, 2011 · N6260C · Substantial damage > Pilot attempted downwind takeoff from the top of a reloading truck after being reloaded during an aerial spraying operation. The helicopter settled to the ground at approximately 3-4 knots forward speed, the skid type landing gear collapsed, and the main… - [Accident 20110720017189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110720017189A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Watsonville, CA · Jul 20, 2011 · N1375X · Substantial damage > While conducting agricutural spraying operations pilot misjudged distance from an electrical power line pole. Main rotor struck power line pole. - [Accident 20100903045679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100903045679A.md): Bell 47G-5 · Salinas, CA · Sep 3, 2010 · N4427F · Substantial damage > Rotorcraft departed Salinas airport with a special VFR clearance that reported the weather as 2-3 mile visibility with a 100 foot ceiling. While enroute at approximately 50 feet, rotorcraft ran into fog. Pilot attempted to return to the airport but lost… - [Accident 20070710016709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070710016709A.md): Bell 47G5 · Jesup, IA · Jul 10, 2007 · N8140J · Substantial damage > (-23) Pilot stated he stopped aerial application operations because of high winds. Then he was attempting to take off and while at a low airspeed entered a whirlwind. The helicopter lost effective translational, rolled to the right, and settled into the corn… - [Accident 20060816022939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060816022939A.md): Bell 47G5 · Valley City, NC · Aug 16, 2006 · N2251W · Substantial damage > (-23) Contacted power lines while working nw of Valley City, ND. - [Accident 20060523010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060523010029A.md): Bell 47G5 · Soledad, CA · May 23, 2006 · N4741R · Substantial damage > (-23) Aircraft was flown until fuel exhaustion. Pilot failed to execute a safe landing from the subsequent autorotation, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. - [Accident 20040804023279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040804023279A.md): Bell 47G5 · Palm Coast, FL · Aug 4, 2004 · N232MC · Destroyed · 1 fatal > (-23) At 1100 EST during aerial application the helicopter crashed into a marsh near the matansas waterway. The PIC sustained fatal injury and the helicopter was destroyed. NTSB and FAA investigation revealed the tail rotor gear box broke loose in flight from… - [Accident 20030913022749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913022749A.md): Bell 47G5 · Greenfield, CA · Sep 13, 2003 · N7060J · Substantial damage > (-23) While performing aerial application, the pilot flew the helicopter through a single wire during descent into the field. The wire wrapped the main rotor mast resulting in substantial damage to the rotorcraft. - [Accident 20030715015279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030715015279A.md): Bell 47G5 · Cleveland, MN · Jul 15, 2003 · N7925J · Destroyed > (-23) On July 15, 2003, at 0735 central standard time, a Bell, BHT-47-G5, owned and operated by scott churchill, struck two powerlines while spraying herbicide (24D) in an area approximately 1.5 miles south of Cleveland, MN. VFR conditions prevailed and no… - [Accident 20030706018439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030706018439A.md): Bell 47G5 · Salinas, CA · Jul 6, 2003 · N7938J · Substantial damage > (-23) The pilot reported he had made several passes during an aerial application flight. While on the downwind leg the engine shuttered violently then quit. The pilot performed a run-on landing. During the landing sequence the main rotor blade made contact… - [Accident 20010207001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010207001599A.md): Bell 47G5 · Pixley, CA · Feb 7, 2001 · N6260C · Substantial damage > (-23) Pilot was using a truck mounted elevated platform for takeoff. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot would nose the helo over to aid in flying into translational lift. On this, the fourth takeoff (possibly over maximum gross takeoff weight), 3-4 minutes… - [Accident 20000728040429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000728040429A.md): Bell 47G5 · King City, CA · Jul 28, 2000 · N7885S · No damage > (-23) Pilot took off at 0540 am, during darkness and in foggy conditions. Flew.8 miles and was attempting to cross power lines. Crossed one set of wires and flew into a second set. - [Incident 20000315002339I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000315002339I.md): Bell 47G5 · Ducor, CA · Mar 15, 2000 · N6260C · Minor damage > (-23) On March 15, 2000, at about 1630, while conducted aerial application under FAR 137 the helicopter hit a telephone wire as it passed under the wire strung between two poles. The Bell 47G5 hit the wire and dented the leading edge of the main rotor blades.… - [Accident 20000215010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000215010329A.md): Bell 47G5 · Riverbank, CA · Feb 15, 2000 · N4754R · Substantial damage > (-23) Mr. Timothy allen wells was acting as pilot in command of a Bell helicopter model BHT-47-G5, N4754R, engaged inthe aerial argicultural chemical application on peaches at Riverbank, CA. At approximately 1628 hours PST Mr. Welss began a takeoff from a… - [Accident 19981214046419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981214046419A.md): Bell 47G5 · Essex Junction, VT · Dec 14, 1998 · N8103J · Destroyed > (.4)The pilot and mechanic departed on a maintenance test flight after completing the installation of an overhauled engine. They performed ground engine runs and two short legs of the test flight. After each leg, the helicopter was shut down and the engine… - [Accident 19980707016269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980707016269A.md): Bell 47G5 · Salinas, CA · Jul 7, 1998 · N7914S · Destroyed > Spray run parallel to telephone lines. Main rotor hit wires. Descended to ground. Skids hit pipes. Nosed over. (-23) on the morning of July 5, 1998, at approximately 0800 pilot arthur brumwell was conducting a 137 aerial application of a celery field for his… - [Accident 19961006031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961006031079A.md): Bell 47G5 · Nunda, SD · Oct 6, 1996 · N7925J · Substantial damage > Aircraft engine failed during aerial application and aircraft crashed in the field. (-23) no narrative. (.4) during the second agricultural load, a total loss of engine power occurred, and the pilot made an autorotative landing, but the helicopter was damaged… - [Accident 19960829025929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960829025929A.md): Bell 47G5 · Riverside, CA · Aug 29, 1996 · N57RA · Substantial damage > Practice night autorotation ans landing light. Misjudged height. Flared too high. Dropped. Rotor severed tailboom. - [Accident 19960723019589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960723019589A.md): Bell 47G5 · Lost Hills, CA · Jul 23, 1996 · N7885S · Substantial damage > Lost power on takeoff after fuel stop. Carburetor improperly installed and contaminated from spray chemicals. - [Accident 19960708016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960708016149A.md): Bell 47G5 · Wareham, MA · Jul 8, 1996 · N8591F · Substantial damage > Helicopter struck power lines in flight during aerial application. (-23) pilot had completed aerial application of fertilizer to cranberry bog and was departing bog to move to another area. Pilot's attention was drawn inside while he turned off the aerial… - [Accident 19960111029949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960111029949A.md): Bell 47G5 · Pope Valley, CA · Jan 11, 1996 · N1309X · Destroyed · 1 fatal > (.4)The pilot had hovered the helicopter over the loading platform and lowered the broadcaster (bucket) onto the platform for reloading. After the ground crew loaded the broadcaster, the pilot turned the helicopter and began to depart. The broadcaster cables… - [Incident 19950803026729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950803026729I.md): Bell 47G5 · Visalia, CA · Aug 3, 1995 · N7800S · Minor damage > Struck electrical pole support cable on a spray run. Remained airborne. Returned to base. - [Accident 19950617017369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950617017369A.md): Bell 47G5 · Coalinga, CA · Jun 17, 1995 · N7923J · Destroyed > Lost main rotor power returning to base. Needles split. Rotors slowed. Engine raced. Impacted. Clutch overheated. - [Accident 19950530048329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950530048329A.md): Bell 47G5 · Rachel, TX · May 30, 1995 · N1502L · Substantial damage > Tail rotor drive assemblequill shaft gear and bearing failed. Possible cloged oil passage from gear box to drive assembly caused by material worn off the quill shaft gear. (3) possible unapproved bearing installed. - [Accident 19950220002109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950220002109A.md): Bell 47G5 · Sonoma, CA · Feb 20, 1995 · N1309X · Substantial damage > Moisture on bubble and blinded by sun. Struck wires on takeoff. - [Accident 19940917035599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940917035599A.md): Bell 47G5 · Guam · Sep 17, 1994 · N2280W · Substantial damage · 2 fatal > Collided with ocean while fish spotting. Observed to descend into water. Found inverted. One float torn off. - [Accident 19940301003179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940301003179A.md): Bell 47G5 · Plymouth, MA · Mar 1, 1994 · N7043J · Substantial damage > During fueling with idling rotors the rotor blades drooped and struck instructor and fuel hose. - [Accident 19930825031019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930825031019A.md): Bell 47G5 · Edgerton, WI · Aug 25, 1993 · N1464W · Substantial damage > Engine swallowed a valve on takeoff from loading truck platform. Crashed avoiding truck. Piston hit broken valve. - [Accident 19930812029229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930812029229A.md): Bell 47G5 · Schaumburg, IL · Aug 12, 1993 · N1347X · Substantial damage > Overloaded on departure. Loud bang. Autorotated. Made hard landing in residential area. No anomalies. Gross weight. - [Accident 19930320005709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930320005709A.md): Bell 47G5 · Greenfield, CA · Mar 20, 1993 · N7080J · Substantial damage > Collided with powerline on pullup from a spray run. - [Accident 19921207056359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921207056359A.md): Bell 47G5A · Belle Grade, FL · Dec 7, 1992 · N7925J · Substantial damage > During aerial taxi to reposition ag helicopter in ramp tail struck ramp. Lost control impacted in a spin. - [Accident 19920703026479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920703026479A.md): Bell 47G5 · Mesa, AZ · Jul 3, 1992 · N4798R · Destroyed > Reported power droop on liftoff caused helicopter to settle hard to ground rotors destroyed aircraft. - [Accident 19911013046479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911013046479A.md): Bell 47G5 · Labelle, FL · Oct 13, 1991 · N1201W · Substantial damage > En route to spray, loud noise and roaring sound. Autorotated but too much cyclic. Chopped boom. Quill assembly failed - [Incident 19910622043229I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910622043229I.md): Bell 47G5 · Keystone, SD · Jun 22, 1991 · N7089J > Fuel starvation en route. Autorotated to safe landing. Low fuel warning light defective. - [Accident 19901023046899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901023046899A.md): Bell 47G5 · American Samoa, American Samoa · Oct 23, 1990 · N2294W · Destroyed · 2 fatal > Tail rotor struck ocean wave while herding fish at low altitude. Main rotors struck water. Impacted inverted. Sunk. - [Accident 19900730029629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900730029629A.md): Bell 47G5 · Hudson, IA · Jul 30, 1990 · N8140J · Substantial damage > Landed to check crop after ag operation. Nose high. Back of skids hit first causing main rotors to hit tail boom. - [Accident 19900611028359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900611028359A.md): Bell 47G5 · Shell Knob, MO · Jun 11, 1990 · N7089J · Substantial damage > Photographing a boat on a lake flew into a powerline, reported blinded by sun and did not see unmarked powerlines. - [Accident 19900426011829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900426011829A.md): Bell 47G5 · Rochester, MA · Apr 26, 1990 · N8591F · Substantial damage > Lost RPM during a spray run. Turned to avoid trees lost control and crashed carburetor icing conditions. - [Accident 19891101044159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891101044159A.md): Bell 47G5 · Guadalupe, CA · Nov 1, 1989 · N4798R · Substantial damage > Struck a power pole and crashed during a spray run. Reported sun obscured vision. Pilot was soaked by toxic load. - [Accident 19880605017839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605017839A.md): Bell 47G5 · Oceano, CA · Jun 5, 1988 · N1316X · Substantial damage > Caught in downwash on a turn around under powerlines. Lost control and main rotors hit a power pole causing crash. - [Accident 19870628027489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870628027489A.md): Bell 47G5 · Salinas, CA · Jun 28, 1987 · N6288N · Substantial damage > The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the helicopter made a hard landing. Fuel gauge malfunction a factor. - [Accident 19860712032479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860712032479A.md): Bell 47G5 · Waltham, ME · Jul 12, 1986 · N7861S · Destroyed > Helicopter struck a powerline while spraying crops. Pilot reported the rising sun obscured his vision. - [Accident 19860708031469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860708031469A.md): Bell 47G5 · Porterville, CA · Jul 8, 1986 · N1316X · Substantial damage > Tail rotor driveshaft failed due to corrosion. Caused uncontrolled spin and crash. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5/incidents.md?page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT report_number, event_date, event_type, city, state, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, aircraft_damage, fatal_injuries, n_number FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_incident_report.parquet' WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('1181032') ORDER BY event_date DESC, report_number DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5/incidents --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.