MD Helicopters 500 Helicopter 1970s
Pre-1980 helicopters include early Bell 206 JetRanger, Bell 47, early Hughes 500 / OH-6 derivatives, and Eurocopter Alouette II/III. Most are now restoration-grade or commercial-utility cores rather than active corporate aircraft. Component overhaul status (rotor head, gearbox, engine) dominates value; budget realistically for time-life-component replacement.
7 used MD Helicopters 500 helicopters for sale 1970s · 5-seat · $489K – $750K · updated 4 hours ago
About the MD Helicopters 500
The MD 500 is the iconic agile light turbine helicopter — compact, fast and nimble, descended from the Hughes 369/500 and powered by an Allison/Rolls-Royce 250 turbine. The 500D and 500E variants (the E adds a pointed nose and more cabin room) are favourites for utility, law-enforcement, longline and private flying, prized for their performance, responsiveness and rugged dynamic components.
MD Helicopters 500 Specifications
Model specThe MD Helicopters 500 is a 5-seat single turbine helicopter with a cruise speed of 135 kt (250 km/h), a range of 223–232 nm (413–430 km), and a useful load of 1,550 lbs (703 kg).
7 MD Helicopters 500 For Sale
There are currently 7 used MD Helicopters 500 for sale, ranging from $489,000 to $750,000, with a median asking price of $619,000.
MD Helicopters 500 Variants
Compare MD Helicopters 500
See how the MD Helicopters 500 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
MD Helicopters 500 Price & Cost
How much does a MD Helicopters 500 cost? Used 500 prices: $489K – $750K, average $619K (median $619K), across 4 priced of 7 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used MD Helicopters 500
Buying a MD Helicopters 500 centres on its turbine engine(s) — time to overhaul, hot-section history and any engine maintenance program — alongside airframe hours and cycles.
What to check before buying
- Turbine engine status — hot-section and overhaul time, trend monitoring and whether the engine is on a maintenance program.
- Airframe hours & cycles — high-utilisation turboprops accumulate cycles quickly; cycles can matter more than hours.
- Equipment — cargo pod, floats/amphibian gear, de-ice and avionics all affect value.
- Corrosion & logbooks — continuous records and a corrosion inspection, especially on float or marine-operated aircraft.
- Pre-buy inspection — commission an independent pre-buy by a type-experienced shop.
Frequently Asked Questions — MD Helicopters 500
Cost?
MD 500 vs Robinson R66?
MD Helicopters 500 Inventory by Country
| United States | 15 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Kenya | 1 |
| Philippines | 1 |
| TX | 1 |
MD Helicopters 500 by Price
| Under $500k | 2 |
Recently Sold MD Helicopters 500
| 1985 500E | $850,000 |
| 1987 500E | $1,650,218 |
| 1995 MD500N | $1,150,000 |
MD Helicopters 500 Safety Record
Across all 500 variants, 1 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 2007–2007. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2007 | Yerington, NV | Minor | The failure of the student and instructor to maintain an adequate main rotor rpm, and the instructor’s inadequate in-fli… |
NTSB records 2007–2007. Includes all MD Helicopters 500 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.