Let L-410 Turbolet
| L-410 Turbolet | |
|---|---|
| |
| Let L-410MU at Kubinka | |
| Role | Airliner, transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Let Kunovice |
| First flight | 16 April, 1969 |
| Introduction | 1970 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Aeroflot |
| Produced | 1971- |
| Number built | 1,138[1][2] |
The Let L-410 Turbolet is a twin engined short-range transport aircraft, manufactured by the Czech aircraft manufacturer LET, mostly used for passenger transport. The L-410 first flew in 1969, and with more than 1100 produced, is the most popular 19-seat plane in history.[1][2]
Development
Development of the L-410 was started in the 1960s by the Czechoslovakian aircraft manufacturer Let Kunovice. The Soviet airline "Aeroflot" was looking for a turbine-powered replacement for the Antonov An-2 aircraft, initiating the design development by Let. After preliminary studies of an aircraft called the L-400, a new version was introduced called the L-410 Turbolet. The first prototype, designated XL-410, flew on April 16, 1969. Because of delays in the development of a suitable Czech engine (Walter M601), the prototype and first production version were powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines.
After M601 development was completed, the PT6 engine was replaced by M601 engines coupled with Avia V508 three-blade propellers and the next variant was introduced, the L-410M.
A further version for Aeroflot was the L-410 UVP. This has improved performance in take-off and landing due to increased wing and tail area - STOL. However, due to an increased empty weight and a shift in the center of gravity, the aircraft had a decreased seating capacity: 15 passengers.
The L-410UVP-E (the most common variant of the L-410) has increased maximum take-off weight to 6400 kg, M601E engines with increased power, new five-blade propellers designated V 510 and the provision for wing tip tanks to increase fuel quantity. First flight was made in 1984, and production started in 1986.
The L-410UVP-E9 and UVP-E20 are versions which vary from each other only by minor changes arising from various certification regulations. The last L-410 family member is the L-420 which uses the new Walter engine variant, the M601F.
The L-410 UVP-E is an unpressurized all-metal high-wing commuter aircraft, with Avia V 510 five-blade propellers. It is equipped with a retractable undercarriage. The aircraft uses two hydraulic circuits: main and emergency. The main electrical system operates with 28V DC. The de-icing system is leading edge pneumatic deicers and electrical heating of propellers, cockpit windshields and pitot-static system heads. Maximum take-off weight of the L-410 UVP-E is 6400 kg with the possibility of an increase to 6600 kg for the E9 and E20 variants, seating capacity 17 to 19. Cruise speed is 170 KIAS, maximum range about 770 nautical miles. The airplane is certified for IFR operation, CAT I ILS approach, and flights in icing conditions.
Of the more than 1,100 units built, roughly 500 remain in service. The majority were delivered to the former Soviet Union, but have been resold, particularly to airlines in Asia, Africa and South America. Forty aircraft are in use throughout Europe for commercial operation or skydiving. There are also an unknown number in Russia and Soviet breakaway states. The aircraft can be used with short or even unpaved runways.
Versions
- L-410
- Prototype, three units built.
- L-410A
- First series with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 turbo-prop engines. 12 units built.
- L-410AB
- Version with four-bladed propellers.
- L-410AF
- Aerial photo version supplied to Hungary.
- L-410AG
- With modified equipment.
- L-410AS
- Test aircraft, supplied to the USSR. Five airplanes built
- L-410FG
- Photogrammetry version
- L-410M
- Second series with Walter M601A engines.
- L-410AM
- version with improved M601Bs, also known as L-410MA or L-410MU.
- L-410UVP
- Third series, fundamentally modified. Main changes are a trunk, an extended wingspan by 0.80 m, M601Bs, a higher horizontal stabilizer. The UVP variants possesses STOL characteristics (UVP=Russian for "short take-off and landing).
- L-410UVP-S
- Salon variant of the UVP with upward hinged entrance hatch.
- L-410UVP-E
- Re-equipped with M601Es, five-bladed propellers, additional fuel tanks at the wing ends.
- L-410T
- Transport variant of the UVP with larger loading hatch (1.25 m x 1.46 m), can transport 6 stretchers as a medical airplane + a medic, or 12 parachutists. It can also carry 1,000 kg of cargo containers.
- L-420
- Looks just like L-410UVP-E but has new M601Fs.
Operators
Civilian
At August 2006 313 L-410 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include: Rivne Universal Avia (13), Atlantic Airlines de Honduras (10), Searca (9), South East Asian Airlines (7), NHT Linhas Aéreas (6), manx2.com (3), Tortug' Air (3), Kazan Air Enterprise (2) and Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos (2). Around 111 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.[3]
Military
Former Military Operators
Notable accidents
On August 6, 1977, a L-410 crashed into the lake Balaton killing one man on board.[4]
On September 10, 2001, a L-410 carrying 19 people, including University of Washington Husky football fans, alumni and alumni association members crashed into the jungle in the Mexican state of Yucatan killing all on board.[5]
On June 2, 2005, a L-410 of Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos, reg. TG-TAG, carrying 17 passengers on board crashes near Zacapa shortly after take-off. The crew tried to return to the airfield after reporting technical problems. All crew and passengers survive the accident.[6]
On June 21, 2007, an L-410 operated by Karibu Airways crashed shortly after taking off from Kamina Airport. One passenger, a member of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was killed [7].
On September 24, 2007, a L-410 operated by Free Airlines and owned by Karibu Airways crashed on landing at Malemba Nkulu Airport killing one and injuring five. Loss of Hull: 9Q-CVL.[8]
On October 8, 2007, a L-410UVP-E10A carrying 15 soldiers and 3 crew members crashed in Cerro Bravo, Colombia.[9][10]
On January 4, 2008, a L-410UVP-E, (SN: 872015) registration number YV2081, operated by Transaven carrying 18 passengers crashed near Islas Los Roques (SVRS), Venezuela. See: Los Roques Airport
Specifications (L-410UVP-E)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
- Capacity: 19 passengers or 1,710 kg of cargo
Performance
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Antonov An-28
- Beechcraft 1900
- Britten-Norman Trislander
- British Aerospace Jetstream 31
- De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
- Dornier Do 228
- Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
- Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
- Harbin Y-12
- PZL M-28
- Short SC.7 Skyvan
References
- ^ a b flugzeuginfo.net: LET L-410 Turbolet Specification Retrieved on 20 January 2009
- ^ a b LET Aircraft Industries: History Retrieved on 20 January 2009
- ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
- ^ Víztorony.hu
- ^ UW Family Tragedy in Mexico
- ^ [1].
- ^ monuc.org: DRC MP killed in plane crash ::: 22/06/2007
- ^ Aviation Safety Net
- ^ Aeronave con 15 militares y 3 tripulantes a bordo se accidentó, confirmó el Ejército - Archivo - Archivo digital eltiempo.com
- ^ Aviation Safety Net
External links
