Bell 47G accident near Springtown, Texas, July 3, 2026
On July 3, 2026 at about 5:10 pm local time, a 1958 Bell 47G (helicopter), registered N7985A, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Springtown, Texas (Kezer Air Ranch 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
- July 3, 2026 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Springtown, Texas · Kezer Air Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G, built 1958 · all 47Gs on the register
- Registration
- N7985A · registry record · serial 1022
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from KAFW, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAFW 031653Z 18011KT 10SM FEW140 SCT250 33/19 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP158 T03330189 $
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 WPR26LA247.