# N153SA: 1968 Bell OH-58A - Status: Valid registration - Airframe: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579, 4 seats) - Engine: [Allison 250-C10D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c10d) (registry code 03035) - Data sheets: [TCDS E4CE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/E4CE) (Rolls-Royce Corporation) (OpenAirDocs) - Serial number: 68-16711 - Year built: 1968 - Type: Rotorcraft - Engine type: Turbo-shaft - Airworthiness: Experimental, exhibition - Airworthiness date: May 9, 2003 - Certificate issued: September 5, 2008 - Expires: April 30, 2028 - Mode S code: A0D6E5 - Registered owner: [Hodges Terry A](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/HODGES%20TERRY%20A) - Location: [West Branch, MI](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/MI/West%20Branch) - Owner type: Individual - Owner's area on the map: 44.3184° N, 84.2362° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 48661, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=153SA - Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153SA From the FAA registry file of October 24, 2026. ADs below are matched by the registry's airframe and engine model codes. They may apply; each AD's applicability can narrow it by serial number, part number or installed equipment. This is not a compliance determination. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs): 5 in force ### Matched by airframe (Bell OH-58A) None in force. ### Matched by engine (Allison 250-C10D) - [AD 2006-16-04](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2006-16-04): Inspection of the fuel nozzle screen · Rolls-Royce 250-B15A, 250-B15E, 250-B15G and 43 more. Effective Sep 7, 2006 - [AD 82-24-05](https://openairdocs.org/ad/82-24-05): Control Assembly and Power Turbine Governor Assembly · Rolls-Royce 250-B15A, 250-B15E, 250-B15G and 43 more. Effective Nov 26, 1982 - [AD 72-03-06](https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-03-06): Turbine Wheels · Rolls-Royce 250-B15A, 250-B15E, 250-B15G and 9 more. Effective Feb 8, 1972 - [AD 69-18-04](https://openairdocs.org/ad/69-18-04): Torquemeter Shaftgear · Rolls-Royce 250-C10 (T63-A-5), 250-C10B (T63-A-5A), 250-C10D (T63-A-700) and 4 more. Effective Oct 18, 1969 - [AD 69-18-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/69-18-02): Internal Splines · Rolls-Royce 250-C10 (T63-A-5), 250-C10B (T63-A-5A), 250-C10D (T63-A-700) and 4 more. Effective Sep 3, 1969 ## Information bulletins (advisory) None matched. ## NTSB investigations (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CEN20LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA187), May 20, 2020: Bell OH-58A (N153SA), West Branch, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during a precautionary autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the airframe vibration for reasons that could not be… ## FAA accident and incident reports (1) From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [Accident 20200520006899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200520006899A), May 20, 2020: Bell OH-58A (N153SA), West Branch, MI, Substantial damage. On may 20, 2020 at 0933 local time, a Bell helicopter, inc. OH-58A aircraft, N153SA, registered to and operated by a commercial rated pilot, received… ## Service difficulty reports None filed for this aircraft. Matched to this aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model. ## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs) (2) Approved for this aircraft's airframe or engine model, in force first, then newest. The registry doesn't record which STCs an aircraft has; its records do. ### Approved for the engine (Allison 250-C10D) - [STC SE00027EN](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SE00027EN): Installation of Pratt & Whitney Engine Services Inc. Intellistart plus electronic control unit (ECU), P/N DPU-K-010 on the specified 250 engine models. Pratt & Whitney Engine Services Inc - [STC ST00037AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/ST00037AT): Unison igniter plugs, P/N 9044400-1. Unison Industries ## Related - Other Bell OH-58A aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a/aircraft.md - The Allison 250-C10D engine: https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c10d.md --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.