Bell OH-58A — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 21, 2026
There are 391 Bell OH-58A airframes on record (built 1968–2025), 208 currently registered. 34 have one or more NTSB accident records (39 records total, 2 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 21, 2026.
Recent Bell OH-58A accidents
The front seat passenger’s inadvertent movement of the cyclic control resulting in a dynamic rollover after landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to leave the dual flight controls installed with a non-pilot passenger in the front seat.
The pilot’s inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in the helicopter striking a wire hazard during an aerial application flight.
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 8 bearing and the subsequent failure of the scavenge oil pump.
The pilot’s overpitching of the main rotor blades while maneuvering at low altitude in a high-temperature environment at high gross weight, which resulted in a reduction of engine and rotor speed, excessive main rotor blade flapping, mast bumping, and impact with terrain.
Fuel contamination, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The source of the contamination could not be determined.
The total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.