Turbine helicopter

N288NS

1970 Bell OH-58A

Registered 2 NTSB/FAA records
Built
1970
Serial
70-15288
Class
Turbine helicopter
Engines
Allison T63 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Mbc Leasing LLC (LLC)
Based
Virden, IL
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Registration record

N288NS on the FAA register

Type
1970 Bell OH-58A
Serial
70-15288
Engines
Allison T63 series
Registered owner
Mbc Leasing LLC
Virden, IL
Certificate issued
2024-03-01
Airworthiness date
1999-02-24
Registration expires
2031-03-31
Airworthiness class
Restricted
Mode S (hex)
A2ECF0
Mode S (octal)
50566360
Seats (type)
4
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2031-03-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2024-03-01
    Certificate of registration issued as N288NS.
  • 2020-02-19
    Accident at Colexico, CA; damage: substantial.
  • 2016-07-22
    Accident at Lake Mills, IA; damage: substantial.
  • 1999-02-24
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (restricted category).
  • 1970
    Manufactured (1970).
Overview

About N288NS

N288NS is a 1970 Bell OH-58A, serial number 70-15288. The FAA register lists Mbc Leasing LLC as the registrant in Virden, Illinois. The current certificate of registration was issued on March 1, 2024 and expires on March 31, 2031.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a turbine helicopter, one Allison T63 series engine and 4 seats. Its airworthiness certificate is restricted category, dated February 24, 1999.

N288NS has 2 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

2020-02-19 Accident · Colexico, CA Damage: Substantial NTSB · WPR20CA092
Reported aircraft: Bell OH 58A
Probable cause: The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.
2016-07-22 Accident · Lake Mills, IA Damage: Substantial Minor injury NTSB · CEN16LA289
Reported aircraft: Bell OH 58A
Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a wire strike.

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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Browse: Bell aircraft for sale· Aircraft registered in Illinois· Registry by state· FAA registry stats

Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.