NTSB investigations: Bell 47D1

10 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 47D1, where the first occurrence was “Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction”. 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.

Cases per year

19832026
NTSB investigations: Bell 47D1 per year, 1983–2026: 10 cases
19831
19881
19891
19901
19911
19941
19983
20051

Latest cases

Query with SQL
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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1180802')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 130))
  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.

NTSB LAX06LA030Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Rancho Murieta, CAa separation of the tail rotor assembly due to the reverse bending fatigue fracture of a tail rotor pitch change link bolt, resulting in a loss of control of the helicopter, and a hard landing during the uncontrolled descent.Nov 10, 2005 · N16356 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA98LA254Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-D1 · Oxford, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to vibration from the main rotor blade for undetermined reasons. A related finding was the improper repair of a crack in the laminant of the blue main rotor blade by other maintenance personnel.Sep 29, 1998 · N755E · Substantial damageNTSB MIA98LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Dawson, GAThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing resulting in debris being blown up during landing resulting in damage to the tail rotor and loss of control.Aug 29, 1998 · N4702S · Substantial damageNTSB FTW98LA144Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Jeanerette, LAThe in-flight disconnect of the rotating scissors due to the separation of its hinge bolt.Mar 11, 1998 · N13012 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA94FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Marathon, FLSeparation of the tail rotor gearbox and tail rotor blades for an undetermined reason. Factors related to the accident were: failure of maintenance personnel to follow the proper maintenance procedure after a previous tail rotor strike, and failure to conduct…Apr 22, 1994 · N9660 · DestroyedNTSB ATL92LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D-1 · Rome, GAThe failure of a tail rotor blade for undetermined reasons.Oct 28, 1991 · N925V · Substantial damageNTSB MKC90LA144Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D-1 · Fair Oaks, ARTail rotor cable disengagement due to inadequate maintenance.Jul 12, 1990 · N8117 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL89DLT03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47 · Shelbyville, TNFailure in the rotor drive system for unknown reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to perform an autorotation.May 12, 1989 · N908B · Substantial damageNTSB CHI88DEC05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47D1 (OH-13E) · Stockbridge, MIThe plt was spraying an onion field when he noted a vibration, followed by a loud noise & severe shaking of the helicopter. He attempted a forced landing, but the helicopter was unresponsive to cyclic & collective inputs. Subsequently, the right skid dug into…Jul 11, 1988 · N12087 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL83LA315Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Moultrie, GAAfter completing a swath run, the plt pulled up, made a turn, then started a let down for another pass. As he increased power, the eng RPM went from 3000 to 3100. At the same time, the plt heard a whining noise and noted that the rotor RPM was decreasing. The…Aug 6, 1983 · N68632 · Substantial damage