Beechcraft 1900
Encyclopedia
The Beechcraft 1900 is a 19-passenger, pressurized twin-engine turboprop
airplane
manufactured by the Beechcraft Division
of the Raytheon Company
(now Hawker Beechcraft
). It was designed, and is primarily used, as a regional airliner
. It is also used as a freight aircraft, corporate transport, and by the United States military
and other governments.
The aircraft is designed to carry passengers in all weather conditions from airport
s with relatively short runway
s. It is capable of flying in excess of 600 miles (965.6 km), although few operators use its full-fuel range. In terms of the number of aircraft built and its continued use by many passenger airlines and other users, it is one of the most popular 19-passenger airliners in history.
was a 6- to 11-passenger utility aircraft produced from 1937 to 1970, used by the military, airlines, charter operations, corporations for executive transport, and freight carriers. The 15-passenger Beechcraft Model 99 Airliner
was designed to replace the Beech 18, and was produced between 1966 and 1975, and from 1982 to 1986. It was also commercially successful and remains in common use with freight airlines such as Ameriflight
.
The Beechcraft 1900's design lineage began in 1949 with the Beechcraft Model 50 "Twin Bonanza"
, a 5 passenger, reciprocating engine
utility aircraft designed for the U.S. Army. A larger passenger cabin was added to the Twin Bonanza's airframe, and called the Model 65 "Queen Air." This aircraft was, in turn, further modified by adding turboprop
engines and cabin pressurization
, and named the Model 90 "King Air."
A stretched version of the King Air was later developed and designated the Model 200 "Super King Air"
. Beechcraft developed the Beechcraft 1900 directly from the Beechcraft Super King Air, in order to to provide a pressurized
commuterliner to compete with the Swearingen Metro and the British Aerospace Jetstream
.
The 1900 first flew on September 3, 1982, with Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) certification awarded on November 22, 1983 under Special Federal Aviation Regulation
(SFAR) 41C airworthiness standards. Like the 1900, the 1900C was certified under SFAR 41C, but the later 1900D version was certified to FAR Part 23 "Commuter Category" standards.
The 1900 entered service in February 1984, with the first ExecLiner corporate version delivered in 1985. A total of 695 Beechcraft 1900 aircraft were built, making the airliner the best-selling 19-passenger airliner in history. With market trends favoring larger 50- to 90-seat regional jet
s, Raytheon ended production of the Beechcraft 1900 in October 2002. Many airlines continue to fly the 1900.
Since the 1900 is derived from the King Air, all 1900s share certain characteristics with that aircraft. Cockpit controls and operations are similar to those of the King Air. While Federal Aviation Regulations require two pilots for airline operations, the 1900 is designed and certificated for single-pilot operation in corporate or cargo settings, as is the King Air.
engines. The 1900 and 1900C use two PT6A-65B engines, each flat rated at 1,100 shaft horsepower
. The 1900D uses two PT6A-67D engines, each rated at 1,279 shaft horsepower
.
The propellers are manufactured by Hartzell, with four blades on each propeller. The blades are made from composite material
s.
Jet A is the recommended fuel; however the engines are also approved for limited operations on other types of jet fuel
or aviation-grade gasoline
.
. Ordinary trip lengths range from 100 to 600 miles (20 minutes to two hours), but with full fuel tanks, the aircraft is capable of flying well in excess of 1000 nautical miles (1,852 km). Airlines often prefer the 1900 over jet aircraft for shorter routes due to its fuel efficiency, and because trip times are not significantly longer on distances up to 300 miles (480 km).
The Beechcraft 1900 can operate safely on relatively short airstrips and it can take off and land on grass
and rough
runway
s.
The airplane is certified to fly up to an altitude of 25000 feet (7,620 m) above mean sea level
with its pressurized
cabin. It is designed to operate in most weather conditions, including icing
conditions, and it is usually equipped with weather radar
to help pilot
s avoid severe weather. The aircraft can be fitted with an optional lavatory
, using space otherwise available for passenger seating and cargo storage.
The Beechcraft 1900 is used by the FAA for its Airline Transport Pilot
knowledge test section on operating and performance data. Pilots are tested on center of gravity calculations, takeoff and landing performance and en route fuel burn.
designator for the 1900 is B190. This is used in ATC
flight plan
s and pilot reports, as well as for aircraft type identification on ATC radar
.
" passenger boarding doors: one near the tail of the aircraft much like the smaller King Airs, and a second at the front just behind the cockpit. It has a small cargo door near the tail for access to the baggage compartment, which is behind the passenger compartment. Only three airframes were built, with "UA" serial numbers of UA-1, UA-2, and UA-3. UA-1 and UA-2 are stored at a Beechcraft facility in Wichita, Kansas
. As of September 2006, UA-3 is in service with Bolivia's
Ministry of National Defence in La Paz
.
airstair door, installing an enlarged cargo door in its place. The changed aircraft was renamed 1900C. Other than the redesigned door layout, the early 1900Cs were substantially similar to the original 1900s. These were assigned serial numbers starting with the letters UB. A total of 74 UB version were built, many of which remain in service.
Aircraft in the UA and UB series employ a bladder-type fuel tank
system in the wings. Later 1900Cs use a "wet wing
" fuel system: entire sections of the wing are sealed off for use as fuel tanks. This design change allowed more fuel to be stored, substantially increasing the 1900C's range. The wet wing 1900Cs were assigned serial numbers beginning with "UC." These aircraft are also referred to as 1900C-1s. The wet wings proved popular, and the UC is the most common version of the low-ceiling 1900, with 174 UC airframes built.
Raytheon manufactured six 1900C aircraft for use by the U.S. military. These were assigned "UD" serial numbers, UD-1 through UD-6.
While the 1900C had become a popular regional airliner, Beechcraft undertook a substantial redesign of the aircraft, and in 1991 introduced a new version called the 1900D.
The 1900 and 1900C, like most 19-passenger airliners and business jets, have fairly small passenger cabins, with ceilings so low that passengers cannot walk through the interior without bending forward. The 1900D was designed to remedy this by providing a "stand-up cabin," which would allow most passengers to walk upright. It is one of only two 19-seat airliners with this feature. The other being the British Aerospace Jetstream 31/32.
Because the taller passenger cabin adds both weight and drag to the airplane, other elements of the 1900D were also changed. More powerful engines and modified propellers were installed, winglets were added to reduce drag and increase the wings' efficiency, and the tail was made larger in response to the more powerful engines. The cockpit was updated with an Electronic Flight Instrument System
(EFIS). The 1900D was certified under the then-new FAR Part 23 "Commuter Category" standards, which had replaced the earlier SFAR 41C. Since the UD serial numbers were already in use by the military 1900s, the 1900D airplanes have serial numbers beginning with UE. The 1900D is the most popular version of the airliner, with 439 of the 1900D built.
, which is the most common designation for military King Airs. The C-12J includes the 6 UD series Beechcraft 1900s built for the U.S. military, as well as other 1900Cs in U.S. military service.
Examples of C-12J aircraft in military service include one used for GPS
jamming
tests at the 586th Flight Test Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base
, New Mexico
, and three based at the 459th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base
, Japan
. The U.S. Army operates both C-12J and 1900D aircraft along with other C-12 (King Air) aircraft.
to provide regional services for Air New Zealand
. According to Flight International
magazine, 419 1900s remained in civilian service in July 2009. As of July 2011, the number in service had increased to 443. These included 137 1900Cs; with major operators being Alpine Air (9), Ameriflight
(22) and Pacific Coastal Airlines
(6) and just over 50 other airlines operating smaller numbers of the type. There were also 306 1900Ds; major operators included Air Georgian
(14), Central Mountain Air
(14), Eagle Airways
(18), Great Lakes Airlines
(31), Gulfstream International Airlines
(22), SEARCA (14) Solenta Aviation
(6), SonAir
(11), Twin Jet
(10) and Wasaya Airways
(6). Just under 100 other airlines also operated the type in smaller numbers.
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
airplane
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
manufactured by the Beechcraft Division
Beechcraft
Beechcraft is an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. Previously a division of Raytheon, it has been a brand of Hawker Beechcraft since 2006....
of the Raytheon Company
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
(now Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is an aerospace manufacturing company that builds the Beechcraft and Hawker business jet lines of aircraft....
). It was designed, and is primarily used, as a regional airliner
Regional airliner
A regional airliner or a feederliner is a small airliner designed to fly up to 100 passengers on short-haul flights, usually feeding larger carriers' hubs from small markets. This class of airliners are typically flown by the regional airlines that are either contracted by or subsidiaries of the...
. It is also used as a freight aircraft, corporate transport, and by the United States military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
and other governments.
The aircraft is designed to carry passengers in all weather conditions from airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
s with relatively short runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s. It is capable of flying in excess of 600 miles (965.6 km), although few operators use its full-fuel range. In terms of the number of aircraft built and its continued use by many passenger airlines and other users, it is one of the most popular 19-passenger airliners in history.
Development
The 1900 is Beechcraft's third regional airliner. The Beechcraft Model 18Beechcraft Model 18
The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas...
was a 6- to 11-passenger utility aircraft produced from 1937 to 1970, used by the military, airlines, charter operations, corporations for executive transport, and freight carriers. The 15-passenger Beechcraft Model 99 Airliner
Beechcraft Model 99
|-See also:-External links:*...
was designed to replace the Beech 18, and was produced between 1966 and 1975, and from 1982 to 1986. It was also commercially successful and remains in common use with freight airlines such as Ameriflight
Ameriflight
Ameriflight LLC is an American cargo airline with its headquarters in Hangar 1 on the grounds of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. It is the largest United States FAA Part 135 cargo carrier, operating scheduled and contract cargo services to destinations in 30 US states, Canada, Mexico, and...
.
The Beechcraft 1900's design lineage began in 1949 with the Beechcraft Model 50 "Twin Bonanza"
Beechcraft Twin Bonanza
|-See also:-References:Twin Bonanza Association http://twinbonanza.com...
, a 5 passenger, reciprocating engine
Reciprocating engine
A reciprocating engine, also often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one or more reciprocating pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion. This article describes the common features of all types...
utility aircraft designed for the U.S. Army. A larger passenger cabin was added to the Twin Bonanza's airframe, and called the Model 65 "Queen Air." This aircraft was, in turn, further modified by adding turboprop
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
engines and cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
, and named the Model 90 "King Air."
Beechcraft King Air
The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation...
A stretched version of the King Air was later developed and designated the Model 200 "Super King Air"
Beechcraft Super King Air
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...
. Beechcraft developed the Beechcraft 1900 directly from the Beechcraft Super King Air, in order to to provide a pressurized
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
commuterliner to compete with the Swearingen Metro and the British Aerospace Jetstream
British Aerospace Jetstream
The British Aerospace Jetstream is a small twin-turboprop airliner, with a pressurised fuselage, developed as the Jetstream 31 from the earlier Handley Page Jetstream-Development:...
.
The 1900 first flew on September 3, 1982, with Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA) certification awarded on November 22, 1983 under Special Federal Aviation Regulation
Federal Aviation Regulations
The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
(SFAR) 41C airworthiness standards. Like the 1900, the 1900C was certified under SFAR 41C, but the later 1900D version was certified to FAR Part 23 "Commuter Category" standards.
The 1900 entered service in February 1984, with the first ExecLiner corporate version delivered in 1985. A total of 695 Beechcraft 1900 aircraft were built, making the airliner the best-selling 19-passenger airliner in history. With market trends favoring larger 50- to 90-seat regional jet
Regional jet
A Regional jet , is a class of short to medium-range turbofan powered airliners.-History:The term "Regional jet" describes a range of short to medium-haul turbofan powered aircraft, whose use throughout the world expanded after the advent of Airline Deregulation in the United States in...
s, Raytheon ended production of the Beechcraft 1900 in October 2002. Many airlines continue to fly the 1900.
Design
Propulsion
The 1900 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turbopropTurboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
engines. The 1900 and 1900C use two PT6A-65B engines, each flat rated at 1,100 shaft horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
. The 1900D uses two PT6A-67D engines, each rated at 1,279 shaft horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
.
The propellers are manufactured by Hartzell, with four blades on each propeller. The blades are made from composite material
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
s.
Jet A is the recommended fuel; however the engines are also approved for limited operations on other types of jet fuel
Jet fuel
Jet fuel is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is clear to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation are Jet A and Jet A-1 which are produced to a standardized international specification...
or aviation-grade gasoline
Avgas
Avgas is an aviation fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft. Avgas is distinguished from mogas , which is the everyday gasoline used in cars and some non-commercial light aircraft...
.
Performance
The 1900D cruises at about 285 knots (328 mph or 528 km/h) true airspeedTrue airspeed
True airspeed of an aircraft is the speed of the aircraft relative to the airmass in which it is flying. True airspeed is important information for accurate navigation of an aircraft.-Performance:...
. Ordinary trip lengths range from 100 to 600 miles (20 minutes to two hours), but with full fuel tanks, the aircraft is capable of flying well in excess of 1000 nautical miles (1,852 km). Airlines often prefer the 1900 over jet aircraft for shorter routes due to its fuel efficiency, and because trip times are not significantly longer on distances up to 300 miles (480 km).
The Beechcraft 1900 can operate safely on relatively short airstrips and it can take off and land on grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
and rough
Rough
Rough may refer to:* Roughness* Rough, the area outside the fairway in golf* Rough * Rough , gas storage in England* Rough , released by Tina Turner in 1978...
runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s.
The airplane is certified to fly up to an altitude of 25000 feet (7,620 m) above mean sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
with its pressurized
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
cabin. It is designed to operate in most weather conditions, including icing
Atmospheric icing
Atmospheric icing occurs when water droplets in the atmosphere freeze on objects they contact. This can be extremely dangerous to aircraft, as the built-up ice changes the aerodynamics of the flight surfaces, which can increase the risk of a subsequent stalling of the airfoil...
conditions, and it is usually equipped with weather radar
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
to help pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
s avoid severe weather. The aircraft can be fitted with an optional lavatory
Toilet
A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
, using space otherwise available for passenger seating and cargo storage.
The Beechcraft 1900 is used by the FAA for its Airline Transport Pilot
Airline Transport Pilot License
The Airline Transport Pilot License , or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot rating -- or license...
knowledge test section on operating and performance data. Pilots are tested on center of gravity calculations, takeoff and landing performance and en route fuel burn.
ICAO aircraft designator
The ICAOInternational Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
designator for the 1900 is B190. This is used in ATC
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
flight plan
Flight plan
Flight plans are documents filed by pilots or a Flight Dispatcher with the local Civil Aviation Authority prior to departure...
s and pilot reports, as well as for aircraft type identification on ATC radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
.
1900
The original design is known simply as the Beechcraft 1900. It features two "airstairAirstair
An airstair is a passenger staircase that is built in to an airliner — often, though not always, on the inside of a clamshell-style door. The stairs can be raised or lowered while the aircraft is on the ground, allowing passengers and ground personnel to board or depart the aircraft without the...
" passenger boarding doors: one near the tail of the aircraft much like the smaller King Airs, and a second at the front just behind the cockpit. It has a small cargo door near the tail for access to the baggage compartment, which is behind the passenger compartment. Only three airframes were built, with "UA" serial numbers of UA-1, UA-2, and UA-3. UA-1 and UA-2 are stored at a Beechcraft facility in Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. As of September 2006, UA-3 is in service with Bolivia's
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
Ministry of National Defence in La Paz
La Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra...
.
1900C
It immediately became clear that two airstair doors were redundant on an aircraft holding only 19 passengers. Beechcraft kept the front airstair, but eliminated the aftAft
Aft, in naval terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning, towards the stern of the ship, when the frame of reference is within the ship. Example: "Able Seaman Smith; lay aft!". Or; "What's happening aft?"...
airstair door, installing an enlarged cargo door in its place. The changed aircraft was renamed 1900C. Other than the redesigned door layout, the early 1900Cs were substantially similar to the original 1900s. These were assigned serial numbers starting with the letters UB. A total of 74 UB version were built, many of which remain in service.
Aircraft in the UA and UB series employ a bladder-type fuel tank
Fuel tank
A fuel tank is safe container for flammable fluids. Though any storage tank for fuel may be so called, the term is typically applied to part of an engine system in which the fuel is stored and propelled or released into an engine...
system in the wings. Later 1900Cs use a "wet wing
Wet wing
A wet wing is an aerospace engineering technique where an aircraft's wing structure is sealed and used as a fuel tank. By eliminating the need for fuel bladders, aircraft can weigh less and the wing root bending moment caused by the lift generated by the wings in flight is decreased...
" fuel system: entire sections of the wing are sealed off for use as fuel tanks. This design change allowed more fuel to be stored, substantially increasing the 1900C's range. The wet wing 1900Cs were assigned serial numbers beginning with "UC." These aircraft are also referred to as 1900C-1s. The wet wings proved popular, and the UC is the most common version of the low-ceiling 1900, with 174 UC airframes built.
Raytheon manufactured six 1900C aircraft for use by the U.S. military. These were assigned "UD" serial numbers, UD-1 through UD-6.
1900D
The 1900 and 1900C, like most 19-passenger airliners and business jets, have fairly small passenger cabins, with ceilings so low that passengers cannot walk through the interior without bending forward. The 1900D was designed to remedy this by providing a "stand-up cabin," which would allow most passengers to walk upright. It is one of only two 19-seat airliners with this feature. The other being the British Aerospace Jetstream 31/32.
Because the taller passenger cabin adds both weight and drag to the airplane, other elements of the 1900D were also changed. More powerful engines and modified propellers were installed, winglets were added to reduce drag and increase the wings' efficiency, and the tail was made larger in response to the more powerful engines. The cockpit was updated with an Electronic Flight Instrument System
Electronic Flight Instrument System
An electronic flight instrument system is a flight deck instrument display system in which the display technology used is electronic rather than electromechanical. EFIS normally consists of a primary flight display , multi-function display and engine indicating and crew alerting system display...
(EFIS). The 1900D was certified under the then-new FAR Part 23 "Commuter Category" standards, which had replaced the earlier SFAR 41C. Since the UD serial numbers were already in use by the military 1900s, the 1900D airplanes have serial numbers beginning with UE. The 1900D is the most popular version of the airliner, with 439 of the 1900D built.
Military C-12J
The U.S. military designation for the Beechcraft 1900C is C-12J. This is a variant of the C-12 HuronC-12 Huron
The C-12 Huron is the military designation for a series of twin-engine turboprop aircraft based on the Beechcraft Super King Air and Beechcraft 1900. C-12 variants are used by the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps...
, which is the most common designation for military King Airs. The C-12J includes the 6 UD series Beechcraft 1900s built for the U.S. military, as well as other 1900Cs in U.S. military service.
Examples of C-12J aircraft in military service include one used for GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
jamming
Radio jamming
Radio jamming is the transmission of radio signals that disrupt communications by decreasing the signal to noise ratio. Unintentional jamming occurs when an operator transmits on a busy frequency without first checking whether it is in use, or without being able to hear stations using the frequency...
tests at the 586th Flight Test Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located six miles southwest of the central business district of Alamogordo, a city in Otero County, New Mexico, United States. The base was named in honor of Col. George V. Holloman, a pioneer in guided missile research...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and three based at the 459th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The U.S. Army operates both C-12J and 1900D aircraft along with other C-12 (King Air) aircraft.
King Air ExecLiner
The King Air ExecLiner was a marketing name for a corporate version of the Beechcraft 1900C.Civilian operators
The last 16 Beechcraft 1900D airliners built were sold to Eagle AirwaysEagle Airways
Eagle Airways is a regional airline based in Hamilton, New Zealand with ten crew bases from Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands to Blenheim in the Marlborough region. It is wholly owned by Air New Zealand and operates regional services under the Air New Zealand Link brand...
to provide regional services for Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
. According to Flight International
Flight International
Flight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
magazine, 419 1900s remained in civilian service in July 2009. As of July 2011, the number in service had increased to 443. These included 137 1900Cs; with major operators being Alpine Air (9), Ameriflight
Ameriflight
Ameriflight LLC is an American cargo airline with its headquarters in Hangar 1 on the grounds of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. It is the largest United States FAA Part 135 cargo carrier, operating scheduled and contract cargo services to destinations in 30 US states, Canada, Mexico, and...
(22) and Pacific Coastal Airlines
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Pacific Coastal Airlines is an airline based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. It operates scheduled, charter and cargo services to destinations in British Columbia. Its main base is Vancouver International Airport, with a hub at Port Hardy Airport....
(6) and just over 50 other airlines operating smaller numbers of the type. There were also 306 1900Ds; major operators included Air Georgian
Air Georgian
Air Georgian Limited is an airline based in the Shell Aerocentre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It was established and started operations in 1994 and operates as a charter and airline carrier. It once had a C208 Amphib in the UAE which was the first in the region. It had a long time cargo...
(14), Central Mountain Air
Central Mountain Air
Central Mountain Air Ltd. is a Canadian regional airline based in Smithers, British Columbia. It operates scheduled and charter services and transborder services...
(14), Eagle Airways
Eagle Airways
Eagle Airways is a regional airline based in Hamilton, New Zealand with ten crew bases from Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands to Blenheim in the Marlborough region. It is wholly owned by Air New Zealand and operates regional services under the Air New Zealand Link brand...
(18), Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines , is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, McCarran...
(31), Gulfstream International Airlines
Gulfstream International Airlines
Gulfstream International Group, Inc., operating as Gulfstream International Airlines , is a United States airline based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It operates scheduled and charter services to Florida and Bahamas and the Caribbean. It operates as a United Express carrier for United Airlines...
(22), SEARCA (14) Solenta Aviation
Solenta Aviation
Solenta Aviation is an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with its maintenance base at Lanseria International Airport. The company was founded in 2002 and operates cargo flights on regional routes throughout the Sub-Saharan Africa on behalf of DHL Aviation, as well as passenger charter...
(6), SonAir
Sonair
SonAir Airline Services, S.A. , known as SonAir, is a subsidiary of Sonangol Group, the National Petroleum Company of Angola....
(11), Twin Jet
Twin Jet
Twin Jet is an airline based in Aix en Provence, France, which started in May 2001 with its first scheduled flight in March 2002. It is also a Flying Blue partner.-Flights:...
(10) and Wasaya Airways
Wasaya Airways
Wasaya Airways LP is a 100% First Nations owned domestic airline with its headquarters in Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario...
(6). Just under 100 other airlines also operated the type in smaller numbers.
Military operators
Military and government operators include:- Defence Science and Technology OrganisationDefence Science and Technology OrganisationThe Defence Science and Technology Organisation is a branch of the Australian Department of Defence which researches and develops technologies for use in the Australian defence industry....
- Ministry of National Defence
- Colombian National PoliceColombian National PoliceThe National Police of Colombia is the national police force of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military of Colombia , it constitutes along with them the "Public Force" and is also controlled by the Ministry of Defense. They are the largest police force in Colombia...
- Egyptian Air ForceEgyptian Air ForceThe Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed...
- Swiss Air ForceSwiss Air ForceThe Swiss Air Force is the air component of the Swiss Armed Forces, established on July 31, 1914, as part of the Army and as of January 1966 an independent service.In peacetime, Dübendorf is the operational Air Force HQ...
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Accidents and incidents
- November 23, 1987: A Ryan Air Services 1900 crashed on approach to Homer, AK airport. Flight 103 was fully loaded (all 19 seats occupied; 1437 pounds of cargo) when it took off from Kodiak runway 07. The aircraft lifted off the runway, fell back and accelerated for about another 15 knots before it became airborne. The aircraft was approaching Homer when it was cleared for the localizer/DME approach to runway 3. The crew reported a 2 miles (3.2 km) final 5 minutes later. On short final the wings were seen to rock back and forth; the aircraft then dropped steeply to the ground in a rather flat attitude, struck the airport perimeter fence and slid to a stop on its belly. Probable cause - "the failure of the flight crew to properly supervise the loading of the airplane which resulted in the centre of gravity being displaced to such an aft location that the airplane control was lost when the flaps were lowered for landing."
- May 18, 1990: An Aerolift PhilippinesAerolift PhilippinesAerolift or Aerolift Philippines Corporation is a defunct inter-island airline based in the Philippines. It was established in 1982 and was chosen by the government in 1989 as the second flag carrier of the Philippines next to Philippine Airlines. Its aircraft accident caused it to ceased operation...
1900C crashed in ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
shortly after take-off, killing all 21 people on board and 4 people on the ground. - December 28, 1991: A Business Express AirlinesBusiness Express AirlinesBusiness Express Airlines , often referred to simply as Business Express or BizEX was an American regional airline founded as Atlantic Air in 1982. In an effort to appeal with its predominantly business commuter clientele, the airline assumed the Business Express name in 1985...
1900C crashed during a training flight when the instructor refused to take back the controls when the students became disoriented due to heavily stressing conditions imposed by the instructor, against the company's flight manual. This conclusion was controversial, as an investigation by the Airline Pilots Association showed that there were many indications of catastrophic airframe failure, not due to pilot error. - January 3, 1992: CommutAirCommutAirChamplain Enterprises, Inc., operating name CommutAir, is an American regional airline with its headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont and its operations center in North Olmsted, Ohio. It operates under the name Continental Connection for United Continental Holdings, with its main bases at...
Flight 4821, a 1900C operating for USAir Express flying from Plattsburgh to Saranac LakeSaranac Lake, New YorkSaranac Lake is a village located in the state of New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,406. The village is named after Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes, which are nearby....
, crashed into a wooded mountaintop as it was landing at Adirondack Regional AirportAdirondack Regional AirportAdirondack Regional Airport is a public use airport located four nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Saranac Lake, in Franklin County, New York, United States. The airport is owned by the Town of Harrietstown...
. Of the four people on board (two passengers and two crew), two were killed while the other two sustained serious injuries. - December 7, 1995: An Air St. Martin 1900D drifted off course and crashed into a mountain in HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, killing all 21 people on board. - November 19, 1996: A United ExpressUnited ExpressUnited Express is a brand name under which eight regional airlines operate feeder flights for United Airlines. They primarily connect smaller cities with United's domestic hub airports and “focus cities,” although they offer some point-to-point service such as Sacramento to Eureka.As of Sept...
1900C collided on a runway with a Beechcraft King AirBeechcraft King AirThe Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation...
at Quincy Regional AirportQuincy Regional AirportQuincy Regional Airport , also known as Baldwin Field, is a city-owned, public-use airport located 10 nautical miles east of the central business district of Quincy, a city in Adams County, Illinois, United States...
in IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, killing all 14 people on board both aircraft. - July 30, 1998: A Proteus AirlinesProteus AirlinesProteus Airlines was a French regional airline with its head offices in Saint-Apollinaire, Côte-d'Or, France, near Dijon, and in Saint-Étienne....
1900 collided with a Cessna 177Cessna 177The Cessna 177 Cardinal is a light, high-wing general aviation aircraft that was intended to replace Cessna's 172 Skyhawk. First announced in 1967, it was produced from 1968 to 1978.-Development:...
over the Baie de Quiberon, killing all 15 people on board both aircraft. - August 12, 1999: A Regionnair 1900D crashed on approach to Sept-Îles AirportSept-Îles Airport-External links:...
in QuebecQuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
due to pilot error; the pilot was killed while three others were injured. - January 8, 2003: Air Midwest Flight 5481Air Midwest Flight 5481Air Midwest Flight 5481 operating as US Airways Express Flight 5481, was a flight from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport near the cities of Greenville, South Carolina and Spartanburg, South Carolina;...
, a 1900D crashed into a hangar just after takeoff from Charlotte/Douglas International AirportCharlotte/Douglas International AirportCharlotte Douglas International Airport is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, in 1954 the airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport after former Charlotte mayor Ben Elbert Douglas, Sr...
in North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, killing all 21 people on board. - August 26, 2003: Colgan Air Flight 9446Colgan Air Flight 9446Colgan Air Flight 9446 was a repositioning flight operated by Colgan Air for US Airways Express. On August 26, 2003 a Beech 1900D on the route hit the water 100 yards off of the shore of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, United States shortly after taking off from Barnstable Municipal Airport in Yarmouth....
, a Beech 1900D operated for US Airways ExpressUS Airways ExpressUS Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
hit the water shortly after taking off from Yarmouth, MassachusettsYarmouth, MassachusettsYarmouth is a New England town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census....
. Both pilots died. - January 28, 2004: A Tassili AirlinesTassili AirlinesTassili Airlines is a passenger airline based in Algiers, Algeria. It provides scheduled domestic services out of Houari Boumedienne Airport, as well as charter flights on behalf of the Algerian oil industry.-History:...
B1900D, 7T-VIN was reported executing a missed approach at Ghardia DAUG and according to reports wreckage was found approx 10 nm from the airport. Of the three passengers and two crew members, one crew member was killed. - March 15, 2008: A Wings AviationWings AviationWings Aviation is a charter airline based in Lagos, Nigeria. It operates customized air charter services. Its main base is Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.-History:...
1900D crashed while attempting to land at ObuduObuduObudu is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria, a hotspot in Nigeria's tourism.The area features a tourist resort, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, which also hosts an annual race in the hilly surroundings – the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race.The town of Obudu is downstream from the...
, Cross River StateCross River StateCross River State is a coastal state in southeastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon to the east. Its capital is at Calabar, and it is named for the Cross River , which passes through the state...
, NigeriaNigeriaNigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
killing all 3 crew members. - May 2, 2008: A South Sudan Air Connection 1900 leased from CEM AirCEM Air-Background:CemAir Ltd is a privately owned, limited liability company incorporated under the laws of South Africa. The company was formed in 2005 with the purpose of operating turboprop commuter aircraft. The initial fleet consisted of 1 x Cessna Grand Caravan and 3 x Beechcraft 1900C's...
crashed, killing 22 people including Southern Sudan's Minister of Defense. - November 9, 2009: A Blue Bird AviationBlue Bird Aviation (Kenya)Bluebird Aviation is a regional airline based in Nairobi, Kenya. It was established in 1999 and operates regional charter services. Its main base is Wilson Airport, Nairobi.-Description:...
cargo 1900D crashed at Wilson Airport, NairobiNairobiNairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, killing one of the two crew members. - January 22, 2010: An Alaska Central ExpressAlaska Central ExpressAlaska Central Express is an airline based at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. It is an Alaskan-owned cargo and small package express service...
1900C lost height shortly after departure from Sand Point, AlaskaSand Point, AlaskaSand Point, also known as Qagun Tayagungin, is a city in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 952. In 2009, the population was 962. It is located on northwestern Popof Island, off the Alaska Peninsula...
and impacted the sea. Both pilots were killed. - November 5, 2010: A 1900C flying for JS Air (Private) Limited, experienced engine failure and crashed2010 Karachi Beechcraft 1900 crashThe 2010 Karachi Beechcraft 1900 crash occurred on 5 November 2010, when a Jahangir Siddiqui Air Beechcraft 1900 crashed near Karachi, Pakistan, killing all 21 aboard. The pilot had reported trouble with the engine of the aircraft shortly before the accident...
a little after 0715 near Karachi killing 21 on board including 2 crew members. - September 25, 2011: A 1900D flying for Buddha AirBuddha AirBuddha Air Pvt. Ltd is an airline based in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur District, Nepal, near Patan. It operates domestic services within Nepal, serving mainly large towns and cities in Nepal, linking Kathmandu with nine destinations. Its main base is Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu...
(Nepal) crashedBuddha Air Flight 103Buddha Air Flight 103 was being operated on the 25 September 2011 by Beechcraft 1900D, registered 9N-AEK, when it crashed at Kotdada Hill while attempting to land in bad weather at Kathmandu's Tribhuwan International Airport...
during a return scenic flight from the Himalayas killing 19 on board including 3 crew.
Specifications (Beechcraft 1900D)
See also
External links
- Beechcraft 1900 specifications
- Airliners.net's background of the 1900
- Aviation Safety Network Beechcraft 1900 data
- Aviation Safety Network 1900 emergency exits
- Airsafe's List of fatal accidents involving the Beechcraft 1900
- Federation of American Scientists' description of the military C-12
- GlobalSecurity.org's background on the C-12J
- 586th Flight Test Squadron's C-12J
- 517th Airlift Squadron
- Army C-12 and Be-1900D Aircraft
- FAA Test Bank questions
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heliang-Transporte-A%C3%A9reo/121378651252966?sk=info