- Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II
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F406 Caravan II 
An F406 of the Hellenic Coast Guard Role Twin-engined utility National origin France Manufacturer Reims Aviation First flight 22 September 1983 Developed from Cessna 404 
A Cessna F406 of Air-taxi Europe
A F406 Surmar at Paris Air Show in 2007The Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II is a twin turboprop aircraft manufactured and designed by Reims Aviation in cooperation with Cessna.
Contents
Design and development
The F406 Caravan II is a twin turboprop engined, fourteen-seat low-wing monoplane of conventional aluminium and steel construction. A development of the Cessna 404 with two Pratt & Whitney PT-6 turboprop engines, it is similar to the pressurized Cessna 441. The aircraft first flew on 22 September 1983, and is still produced by Reims Aviation.
The F406 is aimed at passenger and small cargo transport, and civilian and military surveillance. For extra cargo capacity a cargo pod can be fitted to the belly of the aircraft. The Surmar is a new maritime surveillance version of the aircraft with extra equipment such as a 360 degree radar.
Though the two engines make it more expensive to operate than similar aircraft such as the single-engined Cessna 208 Caravan I, having two engines makes it comply with European regulations regarding commercial operations, which only allow multi-engine aircraft for commercial instrument flight.
Accidents and incidents
- 3 November 2001 – Shortly after takeoff from runway 03R at OR Tambo International Airport, an F406 crashed, killing all 3 occupants. The accident was probably caused mainly by a 16% over-load. The cargo, including two 3-meter-long steel bars, was not properly fixed and shifted the airplane's center of gravity beyond the certified rearward limit during takeoff rotation. Additionally the aircraft did not have a valid certificate of airworthiness at the time of the incident.[1]
Specifications
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89 [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Capacity: 12 passengers
- Length: 11.89 m (39 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 15.08 m (49 ft 5¾ in)
- Height: 4.01 m (13 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 23.50 m2 (253 ft2)
- Empty weight: 2,283 kg (5,033 lb)
- Gross weight: 4,246 kg (9,360 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-112 turboprop, 373 kW (500 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 424[3] km/h (263 mph)
- Cruising speed: 370 km/h (230 mph)
- Range: 2,135[4] km (1,327 miles)
- Service ceiling: 9,145 m (30,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 9.4 m/s (1,850 ft/min)
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ^ "ReimsF406 - 700m South of the threshold of Runway 03R FAJS". South African Civil Aviation Authority. http://www.caa.co.za/resource%20center/accidents%20&%20incid/reports/2001/7426.pdf. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ^ Taylor 1988, p.80.
- ^ Indicated Air Speed.
- ^ Max cruise, 45 min reserves
- Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 01706-0867-5.
- EASA Type Certificate
External links
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