MD Helicopters MD 600
| MD 600N | |
|---|---|
| File:MD600 D-HHWR.jpg | |
| A Skyheli MD 600N with NOTAR | |
| Role | Light utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems MD Helicopters, Inc. |
| First flight | November 22, 1994 |
| Status | In production |
| Primary user | United States Border Patrol |
| Produced | 1995– |
| Developed from | MD Helicopters MD 500 |
The MD Helicopters MD 600N is a light utility civilian helicopter designed in the United States. It is a stretched eight-seat development of the five-seat MD 520N helicopter.
Design and development
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MD Helicopters since 1999) first announced it was developing a stretched MD 520N in late 1994, at that time designated the MD 630N.[1] The prototype, a modified MD 530F, had made its first flight on November 22, 1994. McDonnell Douglas gave the go-ahead for the production aircraft, redesignated the MD 600N, in March 1995.
McDonnell Douglas stretched the MD 520N fuselage by inserting a plug aft of the cockpit/cabin bulkhead and stretching the NOTAR tail boom. The larger fuselage allows for an extra (middle) row of seats. Other differences compared with the MD 520N include a new six blade main rotor (the MD 520N has a five blade unit) and a more powerful Allison (now Rolls-Royce) Model 250 turboshaft.
The prototype was modified to MD 600N standard with a production standard engine and tail boom and flew in November 1995, followed the next month by the first MD 600N production prototype.[1] Certification was awarded on May 15, 1997, and deliveries began that June.
Following the 1997 Boeing/McDonnell Douglas' merger, Boeing sold the former MD civil helicopter lines to Netherlands-based RDM Holdings in early 1999.[1]
Notable accidents and incidents
On February 12, 2013, while on its way back to Dhaka from the Meghna Group of Industries factory at Sonargaon’s Meghna Ghat, a MD Helicopters MD 600 helicopter developed mechanical problem and crashed in the paddy field at Nawraparha under the upazila’s Kayetparha union. At least six people were injured which includes Meghna Group of Industries Director, Executive Director (Marketing), Head of Business Development and the helicopter’s pilots.[2]
Operators
- United States Border Patrol (retired)[5]
Specifications (MD 600N)
Data from The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1–2
- Capacity: 8 total
Performance
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d Frawley, Gerard: The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004, page 156. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
- ^ a b http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/02/12/6-injured-in-nganj-copter-crash
- ^ "Moderno helicóptero policial fue presentado por Seguridad Pública". La Nacion.
- ^ "MD Helicopters Proudly Presents Aircraft to Turkish National Police". helitorque.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "US Customs & Border Protection puts MD600 fleet into desert storage". helihub.com. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
External links
Media related to MD Helicopters MD 600 at Wikimedia Commons