Bell 47G-5 — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 18, 2026
There are 156 Bell 47G-5 airframes on record (built 1964–1971), 40 currently registered. 10 have one or more NTSB accident records (11 records total, 3 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 18, 2026.
Recent Bell 47G-5 accidents
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight due to impending rain.
The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a wire.
The pilot's failure to apply additional engine power when he applied collective input, which led to a loss of rotor speed and the exceedance of the helicopter’s performance capability.
The failure of the pin in the outboard end of the lateral flight control torque tube.
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.
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.