Spectrum S-33 Independence

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Infobox Aircraft
name=S-33 Independence


caption=
type=Very light jet
national origin=United States
manufacturer=Spectrum Aeronautical
designer=
first flight=2006
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number built=1
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The Spectrum S-33, renamed Independence in late 2006, is a new Very Light Jet designed and built by Spectrum Aeronautical using a carbon fiber construction process that makes the airplane weigh about two thirds as much as a comparably sized aluminum frame airplane. The aircraft is designed to cruise at 45,000 ft. at speeds up to 415 knots (Mach 0.72) and fly as far as 2000 nm (3700 km) while using about half the fuel of comparably sized aluminum framed business aircraft. FAA and JAA Type Certifications of the S-33 Independence are estimated to be completed in 2009.

The aircraft will accommodate 5–6 passenger seats, a full-sized private lavatory, and will have a maximum take-off weight of 7,300 lb., with a range of over 2,000 miles. The retail sales price of the aircraft is $3.65 million (in 2006 dollars).

Accident

The only completed S-33, registration N322LA, crashed in a test flight July 25, 2006 in Spanish Fork, Utah, killing the two test pilots aboard, Glenn Maben and Nathan Forrest. The aircraft rolled right immediately after takeoff, reaching a 90 degree angle before the wingtip struck the ground. The preliminary NTSB report revealed that the control linkage had been connected backwards during maintenance after the previous flight, resulting in opposite control output (a left roll input on the control stick resulting in the aircraft rolling right). [ [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20060731X01059&key=1 NTSB Report SEA06FA146 NTSB crash report] ]

pecifications

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?= jet
ref={name of first source}
crew= one, pilot
capacity=6-9 passengers
length main= 45 ft 11 in
length alt= 13.99 m
span main= 43 ft 3 in
span alt= 13.2 m
height main= 10 ft 8 in
height alt= 3.3 m
area main=
area alt=
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max takeoff weight main= 7,500 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 3,402 kg
more general=
* Interior Height: 5 ft 0 in (1.47 m)
* Interior Width: 5 ft 0 in (1.47 m)
* Interior Length (total): 18 ft (5.49 m)
engine (jet)= Williams FJ33-4
type of jet=turbofan engines
number of jets=2
thrust main= 1,750 lbf
thrust alt=6.68 kN
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max speed main= 425 knots
max speed alt= 489 mph, 787 km/h
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range main= 1,600-2,000 nm
range alt= 1,830-2,280 mi, 2,960-3,700 km
ceiling main= 45,000 ft
ceiling alt= 13,716 m
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References

External links

* [http://www.spectrum.aero/ Spectrum Aeronautical]

ee also

aircontent
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* Spectrum S-40 Freedom
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