Bell 407 Emergency Procedures

Immediate Action Procedures

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14 procedures

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AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The Bell 407 is a single-engine light utility helicopter derived from the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger but featuring the four-blade composite rotor system from the military OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Certified in 1996, it offers significantly improved performance, reduced vibration, and a wider cabin compared to its predecessor. Over 1,600 have been delivered worldwide for corporate, utility, EMS, and law enforcement operations.

RANGE VISUALIZER

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturer: Bell Helicopter (Nemeth Designs)
first Flight: 1995
role: Light utility helicopter
crew: 1–2 pilots + 5 passengers
engines: 1x Rolls-Royce 250-C47B (813 shp)
max Speed: 259 km/h (140 kts)
range: 611 km (330 nmi)
ceiling: 18,500 ft
weight: 2,381 kg (MTOW)

Sources: Bell 407 - Wikipedia, Bell 407 Flight Manual - NTSB, Bell 407 Pilot Training Manual - HST

FLIGHT2.23.0Checklist

Bell 407MSFS 2024 · Emergency Procedures · 14procedures · 92 steps

Engine Failure - Hovering (RFM 3-3-A-1)6 steps

	01	Maintain heading and attitude control
	02	CollectiveADJUST to control NR and rate of descent
	03	Collective - INCREASE prior to ground contact to cushion landing
	04	Land
	05	Shut down helicopter
	06	Note - amplitude of collective movement is a function of height above ground; any forward airspeed will aid the ability to cushion the landing

Engine Failure - In Flight (RFM 3-3-A-2)8 steps

	01	Maintain heading and attitude control
	02	Collective - ADJUST as required to maintain 85 to 107 percent NR
	03	Cyclic - ADJUST to obtain desired autorotative airspeed (55 KIAS min ROD, 80 KIAS max glide, 100 KIAS max)
	04	Attempt engine restart if ample altitude remains
	05	FUEL VALVE switchOFF
	06	At low altitudethrottle CLOSED, then flare to lose airspeed
	07	Apply collective as flare effect decreases to reduce forward speed and cushion the landing
	08	On ground contact - reduce collective smoothly while maintaining cyclic neutral or centered

Engine Restart In Flight - Automatic Mode (RFM 3-3-B-1)10 steps

	01	CollectiveADJUST to maintain 85 to 107 percent NR
	02	AIRSPEED - ADJUST as desired (55 KIAS minimum rate of descent allows more time for the restart)
	03	FUEL VALVE switchON
	04	ThrottleCUTOFF
	05	START switch - HOLD to start position (latches after throttle is placed to idle)
	06	NG - between 12 and 50 percent, then throttle to IDLE
	07	MGTMONITOR
	08	ThrottleADVANCE smoothly to FLY detent position
	09	If unsuccessful - throttle CLOSED, FUEL VALVE OFF, accomplish autorotative descent and landing
	10	Caution - if the cause of failure is obviously mechanical (abnormal metallic or grinding sounds) do NOT attempt a restart

Complete Loss of Tail Rotor Thrust (RFM 3-5-A)7 steps

	01	Hovering - CLOSE THROTTLE and perform a hovering autorotation landing; a slight rotation can be expected on touchdown
	02	In flight - REDUCE THROTTLE to idle, immediately enter autorotation
	03	In flight - maintain a minimum AIRSPEED of 55 KIAS during descent
	04	During final stages of approach execute a mild flare, making sure all power to the rotor is off
	05	Maintain a slight flare and smoothly use collective for a soft, slightly nose-high landing
	06	Landing on the aft portion of the skids will tend to correct side drift
	07	Caution - in a run-on landing after touching down, do NOT use cyclic to reduce forward speed

Loss of Hydraulic Pressure (RFM 3-6-A)6 steps

	01	AIRSPEEDREDUCE to 70 to 100 KIAS
	02	HYD SYSTEM circuit breaker - OUT; if hydraulic power is not restored, push the breaker in
	03	HYD SYS switchHYD SYS; OFF if hydraulic power is not restored
	04	For extended flight - set a comfortable AIRSPEED up to 120 KIAS to minimize control forces
	05	Land as soon as practical
	06	A run-on landing at effective translational lift speed (approximately 15 knots) is recommended

Engine Fire During Flight (RFM 3-4-B)7 steps

	01	In flightIMMEDIATELY ENTER AUTOROTATION
	02	ThrottleCLOSED
	03	FUEL VALVE switchOFF
	04	If time permitsFUEL BOOST/XFR circuit breaker switches OFF
	05	Execute autorotative descent and landing
	06	BATT switchOFF
	07	Note - do not restart the engine until corrective maintenance has been performed

Engine Fire On Ground (RFM 3-4-A)6 steps

	01	ThrottleCLOSED
	02	FUEL VALVE switchOFF
	03	GEN switchOFF
	04	BATT switchOFF
	05	Rotor brake (if installed)ENGAGE
	06	Exit helicopter

Driveshaft Failure (RFM 3-3-J)7 steps

	01	Maintain heading and attitude control
	02	Collective - ADJUST as required to maintain 85 to 107 percent NR
	03	Cyclic - ADJUST to obtain desired autorotative airspeed (55 KIAS min ROD, 80 KIAS max glide)
	04	LandingCOMPLETE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
	05	Complete helicopter shutdown
	06	Note - to maintain tail rotor effectiveness do NOT shut down the engine in flight
	07	Warning - cockpit indications resemble an engine overspeed; autorotative flight procedures must be established immediately

FADEC Failure (RFM 3-3-K)7 steps

	01	Throttle - if time permits, match the throttle bezel position to the NG indication
	02	NR/NP - MAINTAIN 95 to 100 percent with collective and throttle
	03	FADEC MODE switch - DEPRESS ONE TIME to mute the FADEC fail audio (only after firmly established in MAN control)
	04	Land as soon as practical
	05	Normal shutdown if possible
	06	Warning - within 2 to 7 seconds after the FADEC fault warning, NR/NP may increase rapidly, requiring positive movements of collective and throttle to control NR
	07	Note - takeoff power may not be available in MAN mode; maximum continuous power will be available for all ambient conditions

Engine Overspeed (RFM 3-3-D)5 steps

	01	ThrottleRETARD
	02	NG or NPATTEMPT TO STABILIZE with throttle and collective
	03	FADEC MODE switchMAN
	04	NR - MAINTAIN 95 to 100 percent with throttle and collective
	05	Caution - if unable to maintain NR, NP, NG or MGT, prepare for a power off landing by lowering collective and shutting down the engine

Engine Underspeed (RFM 3-3-C)6 steps

	01	Collective - ADJUST as required to maintain 85 to 107 percent NR
	02	ThrottleCONFIRM in FLY detent position
	03	Throttle - POSITION to the approximate bezel position that coincides with the gauge indicated NG
	04	FADEC MODE switchMAN
	05	NR - MAINTAIN 95 to 100 percent with throttle and collective
	06	Land as soon as practical

Engine Compressor Stall (RFM 3-3-E)5 steps

	01	CollectiveREDUCE POWER, maintain slow cruise flight
	02	MGT and NGCHECK for normal indications
	03	ENG ANTI ICE switchON
	04	PART SEP switch (if installed)ON
	05	Indications - engine pops, high or erratic MGT, decreasing or erratic NG or NP, torque oscillations

Cabin Smoke or Fumes (RFM 3-4-C)8 steps

	01	In flightSTART DESCENT
	02	AIR COND BLO switch (if installed)OFF
	03	HEATER switch (if installed)OFF
	04	All ventsOPEN
	05	Side windowsOPEN
	06	If time and altitude permitattempt to identify and secure the source
	07	If source identified and smoke/fumes persistLAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
	08	If source identified and smoke/fumes clearedLAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL

Generator Failure (RFM 3-7-A)4 steps

	01	GENERATOR FIELD and GENERATOR RESET circuit breakersCHECK IN
	02	GEN switchRESET, then GEN
	03	If power is not restoredGEN switch OFF, land as soon as practical
	04	Note - with the generator OFF, a fully charged battery provides approximately 21 minutes of power for the basic helicopter and one VHF COMM radio (35 minutes with the optional 28 Ah battery)