Turbine helicopter

N9159F

Hughes 500D

Registered 2 NTSB/FAA records
Built
—
Serial
1090605D
Class
Turbine helicopter
Engines
Allison 250-C20 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Apex Heli-Support LLC (LLC)
Based
Phoenix, AZ
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Hughes 500D
Representative photo of a Hughes 500D. Not a photo of N9159F.
Registration record

N9159F on the FAA register

Type
Hughes 500D (FAA: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D)
Serial
1090605D
Engines
Allison 250-C20 series
Registered owner
Apex Heli-Support LLC
Phoenix, AZ
Certificate issued
2026-08-08
Airworthiness date
1988-05-03
Registration expires
2033-08-31
Airworthiness class
Multiple
Mode S (hex)
ACACD7
Mode S (octal)
53126327
Seats (type)
4
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
232 nm
Cruise (type)
125 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2033-08-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2026-08-08
    Certificate of registration issued as N9159F.
  • 2022-02-09
    Accident at Bel Air, MD; damage: substantial.
  • 2020-04-25
    Accident at Pylesville, MD; damage: substantial.
  • 1988-05-03
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (multiple category).
Overview

About N9159F

N9159F is a Hughes 500D (FAA model HUGHES 369D), serial number 1090605D. The FAA register lists Apex Heli-Support LLC as the registrant in Phoenix, Arizona. The current certificate of registration was issued on August 8, 2026 and expires on August 31, 2033.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a turbine helicopter, one Allison 250-C20 series engine and 4 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 125 knots and a range of about 232 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is multiple category, dated May 3, 1988.

N9159F has 2 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
125 kt
Range
232 nm
Fuel burn
12 gph

Published figures for the Hughes 500D type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

2022-02-09 Accident · Bel Air, MD Damage: Substantial NTSB · ERA22LA117
Reported aircraft: Hughes 369D
Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to bearing failures in the turbine section resulting from a fatigue fracture of the oil supply line that fed oil to the Nos. 6 and 7 bearings. The oil line failure led to rapid deterioration of the bearings from oil starvation. Contributing to the power loss was the installation of a No. 8 stationary seal with an undersized outside diameter, which resulted in a reduction of support for the turbine section rotating components and resulted in high vibration loads in the engine, which ultimately caused the oil supply line to fatigue and fail. Also contributing was the improper or inadequate inspections of the No. 8 stationary seal by maintenance personnel.
2020-04-25 Accident · Pylesville, MD Damage: Substantial NTSB · ERA20LA160
Reported aircraft: Hughes 369
Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of unporting of the fuel tank supply pickup while the helicopter was maneuvered to move a conductor wire. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter s inappropriate configuration for the type of operation being conducted, which impeded the pilot s ability to release the long line and perform a successful emergency landing.

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

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Browse: Aircraft registered in Arizona· 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.