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N17427 Hughes YOH-6A / OH-6A Cayuse

Serial number 73-0006. Registered to Kirtland Community College, Grayling, MI, US.

  • 2Seats
  • 232 nmRange
  • 135 ktCruise
  • 15,994 ftCeiling

SPECIFICATIONS

Hughes YOH-6A / OH-6A Cayuse specs

Published figures for the type, from public sources. A given aircraft varies with its completion, weight and mods.

Model
Hughes YOH-6A / OH-6A Cayuse
Serial number
73-0006
Engines
1 × Allison T63-A-5 / Allison 250 (civil designation)
Thrust
317 lbf each
Seats
Up to 2
Range
232 nm
Cruise
135 ktas
Ceiling
15,994 ft

THE AIRCRAFT’S LIFE

N17427, from delivery to today.

Registration events from FAA records, compiled November 2025. Maintenance, damage and component history live in the logbooks, not the registry.

  1. Kirtland Community College

    Registered as N17427 to Kirtland Community College (Grayling, MI).

    FAA registry

  2. FAA

    Civil registration N17427 cancelled by FAA.

    FAA registry

  3. United States Air Force

    Built/operated as prototype/USAF serial 62-4211 (MSN 73-0006) in 1960s; served in test/operational roles before civil registration.

    FAA registry

FAA REGISTRATION

Registration details

Registration
N17427
Certificate issued
Oct 15, 1974
Last FAA action
Mar 2, 1981
Weight class
Under 12,500lbs

From FAA registry data as of November 2025. Check the FAA registry for the current record.

OWNERSHIP

Registered owner

Kirtland Community College

Government or public body · Grayling, MI, US

ESTIMATED VALUE

What N17427 might be worth

No estimate on record

Value depends on total time, engine program, damage history and the completeness of the logbooks.

Open the aircraft value tool

EQUIPMENT AND HISTORY

As reported in public sources

Cabin
Two-seat observation layout (pilot + observer)
Interior
Minimal mission/observation fit with large glazing for visibility; not an executive cabin.
Reported incidents
Reported last seen derelict at Grayling, MI in July 1980; FAA registration cancelled 1981-03-02. No formal accident/incident report located in consulted sources.

Listings and registries are not the logbooks. A pre-buy confirms equipment, program status and damage history from the records themselves.

RESEARCH NOTES

About N17427

Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed below, November 2025. Not checked against the aircraft's logbooks.

Overview

This airframe, registered as N17427, is a Hughes YOH-6A / OH-6A Cayuse bearing serial number 73-0006. It is owned by Kirtland Community College, an educational institution based in Grayling, MI, US, and is operated from that location for instructional and light observation duties. The helicopter carries a US registration and has been associated with the college since its most recent acquisition, reflecting a transition to an educational operator. Condition and valuation details are not published beyond its documented registry and ownership.

Operations & Cabin

The airframe is outfitted in a two-seat observation cabin with a pilot and an observer, reflecting the classic mission set of the OH-6A/YOH-6A family. Operated by Kirtland Community College from Grayling, MI, US, typical missions for this aircraft are short-range observation, flight training, and light utility tasks within its 232 nm range and cruise speed of 135 kts. Avionics fit and specific interior modifications are not published; maintenance considerations focus on the single Allison T63-A-5 / Allison 250 turboshaft and associated airframe support systems typical of surviving Cayuse airframes. The two-seat layout prioritizes visibility and instructor/trainee interchange over passenger capacity.

Model & Market Context

The Hughes YOH-6A / OH-6A Cayuse occupies a niche for light observation and training roles, offering compact size, responsive handling, and relatively modest operating profiles driven by its single Allison turboshaft. Competing types in this segment include other light observation helicopters and trainer-configured civil variants of military designs. Buyer and institutional demand tends to favor operators seeking a dedicated observation trainer or heritage platform; resale and maintenance considerations emphasize availability of parts, specialized fuselage and rotorwork, and support for the Allison T63-A-5 / Allison 250 powerplant.

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

Built from FAA registry records, manufacturer specifications, and public flight-tracking and market data, compiled November 2025. Values come from Radar’s aircraft value model. Owners and operators can ask for a correction or removal.

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