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NTSB investigations: Bell 47G, CA

33 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 47G. 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.

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Cases per year

19642026

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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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181002')) 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181002'))
  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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181002'))
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 GAA16CA143Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47 · Agua Dulce, CAThe pilot's failure to set the appropriate collective friction prior to releasing the collective in flight, which resulted in decreased main rotor pitch, settling with power, and an impact with terrain.Mar 2, 2016 · N568TB · Substantial damage NTSB WPR14CA196Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after the helicopter's skid catching on the side of a trailer during takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.May 18, 2014 · N16414 · Substantial damage NTSB WPR14LA180Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · El Monte, CAA partial loss of engine power during climbout due to a malfunctioning magneto and spark plugs.May 3, 2014 · N7895B · Substantial damage NTSB WPR11LA190Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Torrance, CAThe pilot did not maintain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover.Apr 6, 2011 · N9FK · Substantial damage NTSB LAX93FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G2-M · S. Sn Francisco, CAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in flight into high winds, turbulence and windshear.Jul 2, 1993 · N2473B · Destroyed NTSB LAX90LA164Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Riverside, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience in the type of aircraft.May 4, 1990 · N9FK · Substantial damage NTSB LAX85LA079Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Chatsworth, CAThe plt was practicing off airport touch & go's. on the second lndg the left skid contacted a hidden dirt embankment andthe acft rolled over. A post impact fire consumed the aircraft. Both certificated commercial plts aboard the helicopter escaped unharmed.…Dec 22, 1984 · N182JR · Destroyed NTSB LAX84LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · El Cajon, CADuring a demonstration to show his student how to autorotate fm a 2 ft height AGL the instructor reduced pwr and inadvertently applied fwd cyclic. The front portion of the skids hit the gd followed by the main rotor blades. Helicopter then rocked backwards,…Dec 21, 1983 · N4475 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX83FA448Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Oceanside, CAShortly after takeoff, the eng lost power at an alt of aprx 400 ft AGL. An autorotative landing was made on uneven terrain beside a stream with weeds aprx 3 ft high. During touchdown, the main rotor struck the tail boom. An inspection of the engine revealed…Sep 19, 1983 · N62221 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX82FA341Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · San Diego, CAThe plt was in the local pattern practicing maneuvers. After completing a quick stop maneuver & hovering, another takeoff was initiated. The plt stated that it seemed to take an unusual amount of forward cyclic to initiate forward flt. During the final…Sep 11, 1982 · N4242A · Destroyed NTSB LAX81DVM17Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Pescadero, CAMar 17, 1981 · N62221 · Destroyed NTSB LAX80DVA64Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Bakersfield, CAAug 23, 1980 · N148B · Substantial damage NTSB LAX80FA104Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Long Beach, CAJun 11, 1980 · N8270E · Substantial damage NTSB LAX80FUQ11Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Pacoima, CAFeb 26, 1980 · N182JR · Substantial damage NTSB LAX79DUM13Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-2A · Fallbrook, CAApr 24, 1979 · N73872 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX79DUQ26Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G2M · Guadalupe, CAApr 2, 1979 · N6327D · Substantial damage NTSB LAX78FUA13Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Torrance, CAMar 25, 1978 · N4475 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX77FUM12Accident · No injuriesClosedEL Tomcat 47G · San Diego, CAJan 13, 1977 · N73872 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX76FUA32Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G · San Pedro, CASep 8, 1976 · N62221 · Substantial damage NTSB OAK76DVD44Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G · Pittsburg, CAJul 19, 1976 · N179B · Destroyed NTSB OAK76DVG16Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Gold Run, CAAug 25, 1975 · N179B · Substantial damage NTSB OAK76DVM08Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G · King City, CAAug 20, 1975 · N933B · Substantial damage NTSB OAK76DVG07Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Montague, CAJul 13, 1975 · N75273 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX75FUQ09Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Lancaster, CASep 27, 1974 · N6327D · Substantial damage NTSB OAK75FVG13Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Sacramento, CAAug 13, 1974 · N7985A · Substantial damage NTSB LAX73FUQ35Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · San Frnando, CAMay 23, 1973 · N2473B · Substantial damage NTSB OAK70D0145Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G · Hollister, CASep 8, 1969 · N7985A · Destroyed NTSB LAX68A0068Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-2 · Culver City, CAJan 17, 1968 · N412SF · Substantial damage NTSB LAX67A0105Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Bakersfield, CAMay 8, 1967 · N148B · Substantial damage NTSB LAX66A0083Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G · Santa Susana, CAMay 6, 1966 · N2473B · Substantial damage NTSB UNK64X4188Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Bakersfield, CASep 27, 1964 · N970B · Substantial damage NTSB UNK64X3405Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G · Alameda, CAAug 15, 1964 · N179B · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X1458Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Hayward, CAApr 25, 1964 · N7985A · Substantial damage