Bell 47G-2 accident near Troy, Missouri, June 22, 2026
On June 22, 2026 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1957 Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N65520, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Troy, Missouri (Troy Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2026 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Troy, Missouri · Troy Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2, built 1957 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N65520 · registry record · serial 2012
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 22, 2026, about 1840 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter, N65520, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Troy, Missouri. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice hovering and traffic patterns at Troy Airpark (02MO), Troy, Missouri. After completing several traffic patterns to runway 26, he switched directions to depart on runway 8. The pilot stated that during the climb after translational lift, 50 to 75 ft above ground level, the helicopter began an uncommanded left roll. The pilot was unable to stop the left roll with a right cyclic input. The helicopter continued to roll left as it descended into trees. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. A couple of individuals immediately responded to the accident site to assist the pilot from the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and tail rotor driveshaft.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,531.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 02MO Troy MO at 11:00 pm
- Destination: 02MO Troy MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 2,100 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KFYG, 28 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFYG 222335Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM OVC038 21/18 A3007 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN26LA234.