# N550TA: 1975 Northrop F-5E

- Status: Valid registration
- Airframe: [Northrop F-5E](https://openairdocs.org/model/northrop-f-5e) (registry code 645035E, 1 seats)
- Engine: [GE J85-21C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-j85-21c) (registry code 30242)
- Serial number: 75-0497
- Year built: 1975
- Type: Fixed wing multi engine
- Engine type: Turbo-jet
- Airworthiness: Experimental, exhibition
- Airworthiness date: February 18, 2025
- Certificate issued: August 3, 2017
- Expires: August 31, 2027
- Mode S code: A70115
- Registered owner: [Tactical Air Support Inc](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/TACTICAL%20AIR%20SUPPORT%20INC)
- Location: [Reno, NV](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NV/Reno)
- Owner type: Corporation
- Owner's area on the map: 39.6988° N, 119.8263° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 89506, within about 5 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=550TA
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N550TA

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): 0 in force

### Matched by airframe (Northrop F-5E)

None in force.

### Matched by engine (GE J85-21C)

None in force.

## Information bulletins (advisory)

None matched.

## NTSB investigations

None matched to N550TA.

## NTSB investigations on N550TA not matched to an aircraft (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 ATL90FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA040), Dec 17, 1989: Enstrom F-28 (N550TA), Cincinnati, OH, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE CESSNA PILOT TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE HELICOPTER AFTER EXPERIENCING A PARTIAL POWER LOSS.

## FAA accident and incident reports

None matched to N550TA.

## Reports on N550TA not matched to an aircraft (1)

They name N550TA, but no registry record covers the date, the aircraft registered then was built later, or the report describes another aircraft.

- [Accident 19891217054401A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891217054401A), Dec 17, 1989: Enstrm F28A (N550TA), Cincinnati, OH, Substantial damage. On after landing check was struck by N8940T that had stalled on go around after dropping banner due power problem.

## 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)

None matched to this aircraft's models.

## Related

- Other Northrop F-5E aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/northrop-f-5e/aircraft.md
- The GE J85-21C engine: https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-j85-21c.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.