Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell 47G-5

16 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 47G-5. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19672026

Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell 47G-5 per year, 1967–2026: 16 cases
1967	1
1971	1
1973	1
1974	2
1975	1
1976	1
1979	1
1985	1
1990	1
1994	1
1996	1
2004	1
2014	1
2015	1
2023	1

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181032')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181032'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181032'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB ERA23LA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.Aug 12, 2023 · N1503L · Destroyed NTSB WPR15LA193Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 5 · Salinas, CAThe 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.Jun 20, 2015 · N4427F · Substantial damage NTSB CEN14LA423Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 5 · Mansfield, ILThe 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 12, 2014 · N7089J · Substantial damage NTSB MIA04GA117Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Bunnell, FLThe 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.Aug 4, 2004 · N232MC · Substantial damage NTSB LAX96LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G5 · Pope Valley, CAthe pilot misjudged the clearance between the broadcaster and the truck resulting in the broadcaster's cables becoming entangled with the truck.Jan 12, 1996 · N1309X · Destroyed NTSB LAX94LA386Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.Sep 17, 1994 · N2280W · Substantial damage NTSB LAX91LA013Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G5 · AntarcticaThe pilot's failure to maintain on adequate altitude while maneuvering above the water.Oct 22, 1990 · N2294W · Destroyed NTSB CHI86FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Plainfield, WIThe acft crashed into trees and nosed into the wooded terrain after a loss of powr. The helicopter had been refueled the day before the acc. Normal fuel load was 20 gals. The plt had sprayed 20 acres & flown 9 miles to another field to spray but aborted due…Oct 27, 1985 · N7840S · Destroyed NTSB NYC79FHJ21Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Jamesport, NYJul 6, 1979 · N8593F · Destroyed NTSB LAX76AL084Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Los Angeles, CAJun 11, 1976 · N7085J · Destroyed NTSB MKC76AK012Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Keystone, SDAug 5, 1975 · N4753R · Substantial damage NTSB MKC75AK024Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Moorhead, MNOct 15, 1974 · N4064G · Destroyed NTSB LAX74FVM28Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Cayucas, CAMay 23, 1974 · N1329X · Destroyed NTSB NYC74AN035Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Waynesburg, PAOct 25, 1973 · N8556F · Destroyed NTSB OAK71AP032Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · S.Francisco, CAFeb 11, 1971 · N2294W · Destroyed NTSB NYC68A0030Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Kingston, NHAug 22, 1967 · N8592F · Destroyed