17-Oct-2017Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) congratulates the Columbus (Ohio) Police Department (CPD) Helicopter Unit on 45 years of exemplary service. The Columbus Police Department acquired their first two (2) of what would become six (6) E-model helicopters in 1997. Over the past 20 years these aircraft have flown 16-hours a day, 7-days a week, logging nearly... Read more
5-May-2017Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) is proud to announce a new agreement with the Columbus Division of Police, Columbus, Ohio, to upgrade its two (2) remaining MD 500E helicopters. The two E models will be overhauled and re-certified as F-models (Type Certificate 369FF) with zero-time engines in a period of just a few weeks. The FAA-approved... Read more
15-Sep-2015Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the delivery and return to service of two (2) Columbus Police Department helicopters. Operated as MD 500E models since 2007, the two aircraft are rejoining the Columbus Aviation Unit as new, factory-built, FAA-certified F-models. In June of this year the Columbus Division of Police committed to a revitalization of... Read more
15-Jun-2015Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today an agreement with the Columbus Division of Police, Columbus, Ohio, to upgrade four of the Aviation Unit’s six MD 500E helicopters to new MD 530Fs. Available exclusively through the MD Helicopters factory, the E-to-F conversion allows MD 500E operators the option to factory-recertify their aircraft as a brand new... Read more
30-Apr-2015
Emergency field landing during missing person search due to warning light illumination. Second of two incidents to same aircraft on same day. Photo here... Read more
30-Apr-2015
Emergency landing a night in a vacated car park of a retail store, shortly after midnight. First of two incidents to same aircraft on same day. Photo here... Read more
29-Sep-2014
Precautionary night landing in Hamilton Road near Groves Road. It was determined that the helicopter had a faulty gauge.... Read more
3-Aug-2014
Emergency field landing at night. Press suggestion it may have run out of fuel... Read more
13-Nov-2013
Emergency landing in sports field. Mechanic called and problem solved... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: The Columbus Dispatch
Two Columbus police helicopters have been cleared to fly after an outside audit did not uncover any safety concerns, a commander said yesterday. (See full story)... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: ABC6
Columbus police helicopters are grounded while they are inspected and maintenance records are checked. Police were ready to sell one of the choppers when they discovered “gaps” in the maintenance records (see full story).... Read more
21-Sep-2012Source: Columbus Dispatch
Purchaser awarded C$380,000 in damages against City of Columbus over faults in a helicopter they sold in 2009. (see full story) HeliHub.com research suggests (but NOT confirmed) that the aircraft was serial 0540E, sold ex FAA registration N553CR to Canada in 2009 and first registered to Versatile Helicopters as C-FZHS. It has since been sold... Read more
15-Jun-2012
Emergency landing in school field after chip light illuminated... Read more
5-Jun-2012
Precautionary landing in public park after warning light illuminated... Read more
20-Feb-2012Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has announced that the City of Columbus, Ohio has ordered an MD 500E for delivery in 2012 and an option for a second aircraft to be delivered in 2013. This purchase represents the thirteenth and fourteenth MD 500E in active service in accordance... Read more
11-Dec-2010Source: Columbus Dispatch
The pilot of the 12-year-old 500E sold last year to Versatile Helicopters, of Chemainus, British Columbia, was forced to make an emergency landing following engine failure, the company said in court papers filed yesterday in U.S. District Court.... Read more
22-Oct-2010Source: Columbus Dispatch
About 1 a.m. yesterday, Kellough was following a burglary suspect on the West Side when laser light struck his eyes. He said he sharply steered the helicopter away from the light, but not before his co-pilot was also temporarily blinded.... Read more
1-Sep-2010Source: Columbus Dispatch
Columbus police and federal investigators are trying to determine whether human or mechanical error was to blame when a camera fell from a police helicopter... Read more
