MD500D

Undetected defect on helicopter led to engine failure and collision with terrain

Undetected defect on helicopter led to engine failure and collision with terrain

20-Nov-2023Source: TSB

Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (A22P0023) into the fatal April 2022 helicopter accident involving a Hughes Helicopters, Inc. 369D near Port McNeill Aerodrome, British Columbia (BC). On 06 April 2022, the occurrence helicopter was conducting slinging operations near Port McNeill Aerodrome, BC, with only the pilot on board.... Read more

15-Jun-22 D-HOBY Hughes 500D Ellenz-Poltersdorf, Germany

15-Jun-22 D-HOBY Hughes 500D Ellenz-Poltersdorf, Germany

15-Jun-2022

During agricultural spraying operations, had accident and ended up on its starboard side In der Nähe von #Ellenz-Poltersdorf (Kreis #Cochem-Zell) ist soeben ein Spritzhubschrauber abgestürzt. Mehr auf https://t.co/EUCs1blXGp Video: Jens Weber pic.twitter.com/G1oNl2Ch4p — Rhein-Zeitung (@RheinZeitung) June 15, 2022... Read more

17-Mar-22 N500MZ Hughes 500D Adair, US-Iowa

17-Mar-22 N500MZ Hughes 500D Adair, US-Iowa

17-Mar-2022

Experienced engine problems during low level powerline operations.  Landed hard, starboard skid collapsed and helicopter rolled onto its starboard side... Read more

21-Dec-21 N111AD Hughes 500D Strawberry, US-Arizona

21-Dec-21 N111AD Hughes 500D Strawberry, US-Arizona

21-Dec-2021

Main rotor struck powerline... Read more

09-Jan-21 N8612F Hughes 500D Winthrop, US-Washington

09-Jan-21 N8612F Hughes 500D Winthrop, US-Washington

9-Jan-2021

Landed heavily on snow, skids broken, tail boom sliced by main blades... Read more

29-Dec-20 N103SU MD Helicopters MD500D Glade, US-Mississippi (1F)

29-Dec-20 N103SU MD Helicopters MD500D Glade, US-Mississippi (1F)

29-Dec-2020

Crashed and completely burned out.  Helicopter was involved in low-level work – trimming trees off power lines – when it crashed Pilot named here as Jason Krakowiak... Read more

27-Oct-20 N58251 MD Helicopters MD500D Nuuanu, US-Hawaii

27-Oct-20 N58251 MD Helicopters MD500D Nuuanu, US-Hawaii

27-Oct-2020

Emergency landing in a ravine after experiencing engine problems.  Helicopter was working for Hawaiian Electric.  Some reports say “hard landing”.  Extent of damage not known. Pilot not injured “A contractor for Hawaiian Electric was transporting material near the Nuuanu Reservoir off Pali Highway when the helicopter lost power and made a hard landing,” according to... Read more

24-Aug-20 OH-HJH MD Helicopters MD500D Sarvisalo, Finland

24-Aug-20 OH-HJH MD Helicopters MD500D Sarvisalo, Finland

24-Aug-2020

Landed upright but tail boom got chopped by main blades during emergency landing... Read more

09-Nov-17 N500DC MD Helicopters 500D York, US-Pennsylvania

09-Nov-17 N500DC MD Helicopters 500D York, US-Pennsylvania

9-Nov-2017

Precautionary field landing, per FAA report... Read more

08-Nov-17 N138WH Hughes 500D Sulphur, US-Louisiana (2F)

08-Nov-17 N138WH Hughes 500D Sulphur, US-Louisiana (2F)

8-Nov-2017

Two men working on power lines from the helicopter,  and  heir safety harness failed because it had been rubbing against the power lines causing it to “snap” the release from Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reportedly said.  Both men fell about 100 feet to their deaths from the helicopter – they were later named as Nicholas Gamalski,... Read more

HeliAir Sweden Replaces MD500s with EC120B

HeliAir Sweden Replaces MD500s with EC120B

26-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com

HeliAir Sweden has recently procured a second EC120B helicopter. The EC120B will be used to help with power line inspections, fire-fighting and collapsing trees. As reported by Eban Magazine. HeliAir Sweden are also going to sell their three MD500s, and demonstration flights were made last week to initial interested parties. Their fleet currently holds three... Read more

22-Oct-15 C-FOHE MD Helicopters MD500D Paynton, Canada (2F)

22-Oct-15 C-FOHE MD Helicopters MD500D Paynton, Canada (2F)

22-Oct-2015

A 55-year-old male pilot from Campbell River, B.C., and a 35-year-old male passenger from Prince Albert, Sask., were the only 2 POB when it crashed. They were pronounced dead at the scene.  Helicopter was contracted by electric utility SaskPower to access and repair power poles and struck a powerline causing the aircraft to crash.  Post crash... Read more

07-Jul-15 MD Helicopters MD500D Bargoni, Kenya (2F)

07-Jul-15 MD Helicopters MD500D Bargoni, Kenya (2F)

7-Jul-2015

Technical issues on approach led to emergency landing in an unsuitable location, leading to severe injuries to the 2 POB.  Both died in the hospital later the same day... Read more

18-May-15 OH-HNR MD Helicopters MD500D Bocognano, Corsica

18-May-15 OH-HNR MD Helicopters MD500D Bocognano, Corsica

18-May-2015

During a low level flight prior to attending to vegetation near powerlines, pilot noticed a decrease in engine power.  The subsequent autorotation avoiding powerlines and buildings led to a hard landing and completely burnt out in post crash fire in the garden of a house.  2 POB seriously injured... Read more

06-Apr-15 N555JC MD500D Cherokee, US-Alabama (1F)

06-Apr-15 N555JC MD500D Cherokee, US-Alabama (1F)

6-Apr-2015

Crashed into Tennessee River and sank without trace. Pilot was only one on board and is missing presumed drowned. Haverfield Aviation confirmed it to be one of their helicopters and some debris from it found further downstream was labelled with the company name. Nearby angler witnessed the helicopter crashing into the water around 1pm. The... Read more

06-Apr-15 31249 Hughes OH-6D Okada, Japan

06-Apr-15 31249 Hughes OH-6D Okada, Japan

6-Apr-2015

Substantially damaged in force landing in an open field... Read more

Phoenix Heliparts Earns New STC to Install Aspen Avionics Glass Cockpits in MD Helicopters

Phoenix Heliparts Earns New STC to Install Aspen Avionics Glass Cockpits in MD Helicopters

1-Mar-2015Source: Phoenix Heliparts

Phoenix Heliparts today announced the approval of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that allows installation of the Aspen Avionics Evolution Flight Display System in a range of MD Helicopters. The STC authorizes Phoenix Heliparts to install Aspen’s single- or dual-display Pilot, Pro 1000, Pro 1500 and Pro 2000 systems in MD 369, MD 530F, MD... Read more

05-Feb-15 ZK-IQQ MD Helicopters MD500D Marlborough, New Zealand

05-Feb-15 ZK-IQQ MD Helicopters MD500D Marlborough, New Zealand

5-Feb-2015

Firefighting helicopter crashed while filling bucket in very shallow river. pilot Neal Andrews walked away unscathed... Read more

02-Dec-14 MD Helicopters MD500D Zuoying, Taiwan

02-Dec-14 MD Helicopters MD500D Zuoying, Taiwan

2-Dec-2014

Pilot received serious head injuries from the tail rotor after receiving a warning signal, leaving the cockpit and going to the rear of the helicopter to assist the technical staff – but apparently got too close... Read more

02-Sep-14 N516PJ MD Helicopters MD500D Willow, US-California

02-Sep-14 N516PJ MD Helicopters MD500D Willow, US-California

2-Sep-2014

Pilot Ron Chaplin injured when helicopter came down during low level powerline work... Read more

29-Jul-14 N89ZC Hughes 500D Bellefontaine, US-Ohio

29-Jul-14 N89ZC Hughes 500D Bellefontaine, US-Ohio

29-Jul-2014

Helicopter involved in underslung chainsaw operations, cutting back trees for a new bike track.  Helicopter crashed into the trees.  No immediate indication of cause.  Pilot Leo Boucher seriously injured... Read more

22-Jul-14 N5225C Hughes 500D Oso, US-Washington

22-Jul-14 N5225C Hughes 500D Oso, US-Washington

22-Jul-2014

Crashed during logging operations after tail hit a logging cable.... Read more

03-Feb-14 N8618F MD Helicopters MD500D Naples, US-Florida

03-Feb-14 N8618F MD Helicopters MD500D Naples, US-Florida

3-Feb-2014

Tail struck ground during autorotation training... Read more

27-Jan-14 G-CCUO Hughes 500D Droitwich, UK

27-Jan-14 G-CCUO Hughes 500D Droitwich, UK

27-Jan-2014

Shortly after takeoff the pilot experienced yaw control difficulties, resulting in the loss of control of the helicopter and a subsequent crash landing. The pilot escaped with minor injuries. In the absence of any mechanical abnormalities, the most likely cause of the accident is a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.... Read more

15-Dec-13 Hughes 500D Glade Burn, New Zealand (1F)

15-Dec-13 Hughes 500D Glade Burn, New Zealand (1F)

15-Dec-2013

A Hughes 500 helicopter flying between the Greenstone Valley and Dumpling Hut crashed at Glade Burn in steep and rugged terrain in poor weather.   Police confirmed that sole occupant pilot Bruce Andrews died in the accident... Read more

19-Oct-13 N53846 Hughes 500D Suffolk, US-Virginia

19-Oct-13 N53846 Hughes 500D Suffolk, US-Virginia

19-Oct-2013

Contacted trees while trimming them.  Landed without incident... Read more

12-Sep-13 N519PA MD Helicopters MD500DE Kauai, US-Hawaii

12-Sep-13 N519PA MD Helicopters MD500DE Kauai, US-Hawaii

12-Sep-2013

Operator told the press “debris flew into the main rotor blades causing some damage to the aircraft”.  FAA report says “tail rotor separated from aircrxaft”... Read more

06-Aug-13 N134SH MD Helicopters MD500D Delta Junction, US-Alaska

06-Aug-13 N134SH MD Helicopters MD500D Delta Junction, US-Alaska

6-Aug-2013

NTSB investigator Clint Johnson says the helicopter had an engine failure, landed in trees and rolled over.  Sling load operations.  Pilot not injured... Read more

29-Jul-13 N31HM MD Helicopters MD500D Smithfield, US-West Virginia

29-Jul-13 N31HM MD Helicopters MD500D Smithfield, US-West Virginia

29-Jul-2013

Force landing – serious damage after it fell onto its side in wooded area, tail separate from boom... Read more

05-Jul-13 C-FYAP Hughes 500D Fort Saskatchewan, Canada

05-Jul-13 C-FYAP Hughes 500D Fort Saskatchewan, Canada

5-Jul-2013

Helicopter was involved in installing powerlines – contacted tower, crashed, seriously injuring both occupants... Read more

Donaldson congratulates PJ Helicopters on 40+ years

Donaldson congratulates PJ Helicopters on 40+ years

24-Jun-2013Source: Donaldson

Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), congratulates long-time customer PJ Helicopters for developing world-class precision-lift services over its more than 40 years of operations. The success of Red Bluff, Calif.-based PJ Helicopters is supported by Donaldson’s Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) systems. The IBFs protect the safety, performance and reliability of seven turbine helicopter... Read more

12-Apr-13 N911FT Hughes 500D Phoenix, US-Arizona

12-Apr-13 N911FT Hughes 500D Phoenix, US-Arizona

12-Apr-2013

Tail boom separation... Read more

05-Apr-13 N520PA Hughes 500D Lihue, US-Hawaii

05-Apr-13 N520PA Hughes 500D Lihue, US-Hawaii

5-Apr-2013

Found damage to trailing edge of rotor blade(s) on post-flight inspection... Read more

New Zealand – Heli Tours adds second aircraft

New Zealand – Heli Tours adds second aircraft

23-Jan-2013Source: Heli Tours

Heli Tours new 2nd Helicopter has arrived! ZK-HOI is a H369D modern turbine Helicopter from USA, it is a very fast, very agile type of Helicopter and can fit up to 4 passengers. It also has a large, long cargo pod that fits neatly underneath the Helicopter too. It is polished and ready for work.... Read more

10-Jan-13 OH-HNP Hughes 500D Paavolantie, Finland

10-Jan-13 OH-HNP Hughes 500D Paavolantie, Finland

10-Jan-2013

Engine failure during low level powerline operation.  Extensively damaged.  Pilot walked away... Read more

07-Dec-12 N818CE Hughes 500D Valencia, US-California

07-Dec-12 N818CE Hughes 500D Valencia, US-California

7-Dec-2012

Substantial damage after unsecured item from cabin struck aircraft... Read more

06-Sep-12 C-GVHG Hughes 500D Alice Arm, Canada

06-Sep-12 C-GVHG Hughes 500D Alice Arm, Canada

6-Sep-2012

Main blades severed tail boom during landing.  CADAORS ref 2012P1524... Read more

29-Jun-12 D-HLUX Hughes 500D Bernkastel, Germany (1F)

29-Jun-12 D-HLUX Hughes 500D Bernkastel, Germany (1F)

29-Jun-2012

Hughes 500D spraying a vineyard hit powerline and crashed into field, killing the 26-year old pilot.... Read more

21-May-12 ZK-HXZ Hughes 500D North Canterbury, New Zealand

21-May-12 ZK-HXZ Hughes 500D North Canterbury, New Zealand

21-May-2012

It is believed the helicopter had been contracted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to spray for gorse when it went down at the northern end of Lake Sumner.  Helicopter and pilot missing – pilot named as  35-year-old Mike Mehrtens – company website here quotes him as a 3,500 hour pilot... Read more

NTSB Preliminary Report – 27-Oct-11 N61PJ MD500D

NTSB Preliminary Report – 27-Oct-11 N61PJ MD500D

7-Nov-2011Source: NTSB

This is the text from the Preliminary Report.  By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 27, 2011, about 1440 Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-500D helicopter, N61PJ, was substantially damaged during... Read more

Vanuatu asks Australia to investigate fatal H500D accident

Vanuatu asks Australia to investigate fatal H500D accident

1-Sep-2011Source: ATSB

Incident referred to is in HeliHub.com accident data at 28-Aug-11 YJ-HEL Hughes 369D South Malakula, Vanuatu (1F) On 29 August 2011, the ATSB was notified by the Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of an accident that occurred on the island of Maleluka, Vanuatu on 26 August 2011 and involved Hughes 369D helicopter, registered YJ-HEL. It... Read more

Phoenix Heliparts customizes 1981 MD500D with less than 700 hour TTAF

Phoenix Heliparts customizes 1981 MD500D with less than 700 hour TTAF

5-Mar-2011Source: Phoenix Heliparts

Mesa, Arizona – March 5, 2011. After being fully restored by Phoenix Heliparts, of Mesa, AZ, a 1981 MD500D model has been customized with an ‘E’ nose, air conditioning and a complete Aerodynamix NVG package. This 30-year-old aircraft is now truly state of the art. Official handover to Team C&H, of Jacksonville, Florida, will take... Read more

South African Police in crash want to get back flying

South African Police in crash want to get back flying

29-Jan-2011Source: IOL

Lt.Col Shabir Khan was discharged on Thursday but de Lt.Col Kosie de Villiers’s recovery is expected to take a little longer, though the enthusiastic pilot was in good spirits in the Unitas Hospital on Thursday.  See accident page at 21-Jan-11 ZS-HWX MD Helicopters 369D Wonderboompoort, South Africa... Read more

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