Aircraft model · Rotorcraft · Rotorcraft · registry code 3027374

Manufacturer (registry)
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER
Model
500N
Registry code
3027374
Registered
27 aircraft
Type
Rotorcraft
Engines
1 · Turbo-shaft
Seats
4
Weight class
Up to 12,499 lb
Certification
Type certificated
Data sheet
TCDSH3WE
Holder
MD Helicopters LLC

Model codes come from the FAA registry’s reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker.

On this page

Aircraft by year built · 44

1991Registered nowDeregistered2026
Aircraft by the year they were built: 44 aircraft
19914
199215
19936
19946
19954
19963
19971
19982
19991
20061
20181

Airworthiness directives that may apply · 31

ADs whose products match this airframe model. Each AD’s applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or configuration.

1996In forceSuperseded2026
ADs by the year they took effect: 33 ADs
19962
19971
19984
19993
20002
20011
20021
20041
20051
20071
20081
20131
20163
20191
20202
20211
20221
20231
20242
20251
20262
See all 36 ADs
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT d.ad_number, d.status, d.subject, d.effective_date
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_directive.parquet' d
  WHERE d.ad_id IN (SELECT ad_id FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model_directive.parquet' WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('3027374'))
  ORDER BY coalesce(d.effective_date, d.publication_date, d.issue_date) DESC, d.ad_number DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Information bulletins that may apply · 2

Historical bulletins · 1
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT s.saib_number, any_value(s.title) AS title, max(s.issue_date) AS issue_date, any_value(s.status) AS status
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_saib.parquet' s
  WHERE s.saib_id IN (SELECT saib_id FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model_saib.parquet' WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('3027374'))
  GROUP BY s.saib_number ORDER BY issue_date DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Registered aircraft · 27

See all 27 registered aircraft
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT n_number, serial_number, year_manufactured, status, registrant_name, registrant_city, registrant_state
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_registration.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('3027374')
  ORDER BY n_number"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB investigations · 8

Aircraft matched to this model through the registry, by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model.

NTSB WPR22FA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CAThe helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…Feb 20, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA341Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Idaho Falls, IDThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.Aug 12, 2014 · N18GH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10TA025Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Los Alamitos, CAThe flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the instructional autorotative landing, which resulted in a failure to maintain an adequate rotor rpm to avoid a hard landing.Oct 16, 2009 · N521HB · Substantial damageNTSB LAX01IA262Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMdhi 520N · Los Angeles, CAthe excitation of the first bending mode natural frequency of the aft tube assembly that is installed through the rotating NOTAR fan drive system. Contributing factors to the incident included the operator's maintenance practice of hand-sanding the pitch…Jul 25, 2001 · N953SD · Minor damageNTSB LAX00TA186Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 500N · Los Angeles, CAThe combined failure of the operator management and the check pilot to ensure the landing area was suitable for the slide on landing. Factors were the high vegetation that entangled the skids, resulting in the abrupt stop and nose down movement of the…May 8, 2000 · N955SD · Substantial damageNTSB LAX00GA025Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 500N · San Jose, CAThe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to the failure and separation of the forward thruster control cable telescoping sleeve ball swivel fitting, which resulted in a stuck thruster and the entry into an uncontrollable yaw/spin. Also causal was the…Oct 25, 1999 · N904PD · DestroyedNTSB LAX98LA166Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 520N · Lanai City,Maui, HIAn oil starvation failure of the number 5 bearing for undetermined reasons.May 20, 1998 · N112HD · DestroyedNTSB FTW96TA222Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-520N · Bethany, OKThe main rotor blades' contact with the tail boom due to gusting winds during rotor deceleration.May 16, 1996 · N520DD · Substantial damage
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = a.case_mkey
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IN ('3027374')
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

FAA incident reports · 10

Matched to this model through the registry, by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model.

Incident 20221126019119IMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Honolulu, HIPublic use aircraft performing coastline water patrol at approximately 100 feet when a wave rebounded off the cliff face into subject helicopter. Left side upper and lower wndishields damaged and water entered aircraft. Aircraft was flown back to base at hnl.Nov 26, 2022 · N302HF · Minor damageAccident 20220219001009AMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Newport Beach, CAOn 02/19/2022, approximately 18:30 pacific standard time, huntington Beach police helicopter, MD500N, N521HB, operating as a public aircraft, responded to a call near the lido peninsula in Newport Beach, CA. While performing right hand orbits over the scene…Feb 19, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damage · 1 fatalAccident 20140811015319AMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Idaho Falls, IDPilot reported that during takeoff from a private residence, the helicopter was about 40 to 50 feet above ground level (AGL) when he lost tail rotor control. The helicopter banked to the left an immediately began to rotate. The pilot stated that despite his…Aug 11, 2014 · N18GH · Substantial damageAccident 20091016053579AMcdonnell D 500N · Los Alamitos, CADuring my interview with the pilot, he stated that they were about one hour into the training flight when he decided to demonstrate a power recovery autorotation. The flight was normal upon entering the maneuver. During the recovery portion of the maneuver,…Oct 16, 2009 · N521HB · Substantial damageIncident 20010725019489IHughes 500N · Los Angeles, CA(-23) See attached pilot statement from deputy sinclair, the PIC for this flight. This investigation continues as of this date. However a SDR was submitted. Pilot's statement: shortly after takeoff from the lax west helipads, and extremely loud squeal and…Jul 25, 2001 · N953SDAccident 20000508036159AHughes 500N · Los Angeles, CA(-23) On may 8, 2000 at approx. 9:25 am PDT, a Mcdonnell Douglas 520N helicopter, N955SD, sustained substantial damage while performing off-airport training in east Los Angeles, CA. The helicopter was being operated by the Los Angeles county sheriff's dept.…May 8, 2000 · N955SD · Substantial damageAccident 19991025046889AN904PD · San Jose, CA(-23)On October 25, 1999 at approximately 1515 hours, officer desmond casey was in the process of conducting a ferry flight in aircraft N904DP, a mcdonald Douglas 500N notar helicopter. This aircraft was owned and operated by the San Jose police air traffic…Oct 25, 1999 · N904PD · No damage · 2 fatalAccident 19980520016109AHughes 500N · Lanaicity, HI(.19) On may 20, 1998, at 0500 hours hawaiian standard time, a mcdonnell-douglas 500N, N112HD, experienced an uncontained engine failure during cruise and made an emergency landing in rough terrain, 5 miles north of lanai city, Hawaii. The helicopter was…May 20, 1998 · N112HD · DestroyedIncident 19980112001089IHughes 500N · Long Beach, CANarrative sheriff pilot dixon flying a sheriff helo into Long Beach airport (lgb) MD-500N N952SD. While hovering over the parking pad, and on touchdown the left gear (skid), broke away from the fwd and aft strut structure. The pilot was able to maintain a…Jan 12, 1998 · N952SD · Minor damageAccident 19960516011459AHughes 500N · Oklahoma City, OKEvaluation FAA check flight. During spool down and parking. Wind gusts caused rotors to come down. Struck tailboom. (-23) the pilot had just completed a one hour, day, VFR flight for currency and proficiency. The wind was confirmed at 22 knots with gusts…May 16, 1996 · N520DD · Substantial damage
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT report_number, event_date, event_type, city, state, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, aircraft_damage, fatal_injuries, n_number
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_incident_report.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('3027374')
  ORDER BY event_date DESC, report_number DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Service difficulty reports · 103

See all 103 difficulty reports
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT sdr_id, difficulty_date, n_number, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, part_name, part_condition, jasc_code, discrepancy
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_service_difficulty_report.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_key = '500N'
  ORDER BY difficulty_date DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

STCs that may be installed · 176

Approved for this model: the STC’s model list names it on its data sheet, or a series that includes it. The registry doesn’t record which STCs an aircraft has.

See all 176 STCs
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT s.stc_number, s.description, s.holder, s.status, s.status_date, m.matched_model
  FROM (
    SELECT stc_number, min(matched_model) AS matched_model
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model_stc.parquet'
    WHERE aircraft_model_code IN ('3027374')
    GROUP BY stc_number
  ) m JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_stc.parquet' s USING (stc_number)
  ORDER BY s.status = 'Current' DESC, s.status_date DESC, s.stc_number"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

PMA parts · 1,000+

Current parts manufacturer approvals (PMA): parts the FAA has approved companies to make as replacements or modifications. Each record lists its models as free text; OpenAirDocs matched them to this model on its data sheet, so check the FAA record before relying on it. Newest first.

See all 1,000+ PMA parts
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT drs_guid, part_number, part_name, holder, pma_number, replaces_part, supplement_date, tcds_models
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_type_certificate_pma.parquet'
  WHERE tcds_number IN ('H3WE')
    AND len(list_intersect(tcds_models, ['500N'])) > 0
  ORDER BY supplement_date DESC, drs_guid DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

The same model under other registry codes

Amateur-built copies and renamed makers get their own codes.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT m.code, m.manufacturer, m.model, count(g.n_number) AS aircraft
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_registration.parquet' g ON g.aircraft_model_code = m.code
  WHERE m.match_key = '500N' AND m.code NOT IN ('3027374')
  GROUP BY ALL
  ORDER BY aircraft DESC
  LIMIT 12"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.