Let L-410 Turbolet

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Let L-410 Turbolet

Let L-410MU at Kubinka
Type Airliner, transport aircraft
Manufacturer Let Kunovice
Maiden flight April 16 1969
Introduced 1970
Status Remains in service
Primary user Soviet Union (Aeroflot)
Czech Republic, Slovakia
Produced 1971-
Number built 1,138

The Let-410 Turbolet is a twin engined short-range transport aircraft, manufactured by the Czech aircraft manufacturer LET, mostly used for passenger transport. The Let-410 first flew in 1969. It is a smaller version of the Let L-610.

Contents

[edit] 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 M 601), the prototype and first production version were powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines.

After M601 development was completed, the PT-6 engine was replaced by Walter M 601 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 410 UVP-E (the most common variant of the L 410) has increased maximum take-off weight to 6400 kg, M 601E 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-410 UVP-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 M 601F.

The L 410 UVP-E aircraft is an unpressurized all-metal high-wing commuter aircraft, powered by 2 reverse-flow Walter M 601 turboprop engines (2x560 kW take-off power) and 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 1,000 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. 40 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.

Let L-410UVP-E at Francisco Reyes Airport
Let L-410UVP-E at Francisco Reyes Airport
Let L-410UVP-E of the Slovenian Armed Forces
Let L-410UVP-E of the Slovenian Armed Forces
Let L-410UVP-E of SEAir
Let L-410UVP-E of SEAir
Let L-410 in Cape Verde
Let L-410 in Cape Verde

[edit] 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 M601B engines, 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, Walter M601B engines, 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 Walter M601E engines, 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 M601F engines.

[edit] Operators

[edit] 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), Tortug' Air (3), Kazan Air Enterprise (2) and Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos (2). Around 111 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.[1]

2 or 3 L-410 aircraft in service with Kazair West, based in Atyrau Kazakhstan. Used on timetabled charter flying of oil workers to/from Tengiz Oilfield. (remark: I only ever saw 2, L-410 UVP-E, reg. nrs. UN-67611 and UN-67566)

[edit] Military

Former Military Operators

[edit] Support

Periodical unavailability on parts and a lack of proper maintenance and training has been a constant battle among many smaller LET operators. A former South Floridian branch of Aerotec Gmbh with headquarters in Germany providing a basic support for Let-410 was purchased by Aviation Masters, Inc..[2] in 2000. By stocking thousands of line items of parts for all Let-410 models and for the Walter M 601 engines and by providing service, inspection and training the Aviation Masters has grown to a largest American based support company dedicated to Let-410 airplanes.

[edit] Accidents

On August 6, 1977, a Let-410 crashed into the lake Balaton killing one man on board[3].

In the late 90's, an Air Parabat LET-410 was having some engine trouble. pilots tried feathering and un feathering the propeller, when the link broke, and the plane made an emergency landing in a field around Dhaka.

On September 10, 2001, a Let-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[4].

On June 2, 2005, a Let-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 [1].

On March 31, 2006, a Let-410 of the Brazilian TEAM airline went missing about 20 minutes after leaving the city of Macae. It crashed in a mountainous region east of Rio de Janeiro. All 17 passengers and two crew members on board were killed[citation needed].

On June 21, 2007, an Let-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 [5].

On September 24, 2007, a Let-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[6]

On October 8, 2007, a Let-410 UVP-E10A carrying 15 soldiers and 3 crew members crashed in Cerro Bravo, Colombia. [7][8]

On January 4, 2008, a Let-410 UVP-E, (SN: 872015) registration number YV2081, operated by Transaven carrying 18 passengers crashed near Islas Los Roques (SVRS), Venezuela. See: Los Roques Airport

[edit] Specifications (L-410 UVP-E)

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General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
  • Capacity: 19 passengers or 1,710 kg of cargo
  • Length: 14.42 m (47 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 19.48 m (63 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 5.83 m (19 ft 1 1/2 in)
  • Wing area: 35.18 m² (378.5 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 3,725 kg (8,195 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 5,800 kg (12,760 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 6,400 kg (14,520 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Walter M601E turboprop engines, 560 kW (750 hp) each

Performance


[edit] References

  1. ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
  2. ^ Aviation Masters, Inc
  3. ^ Víztorony.hu
  4. ^ UW Family Tragedy in Mexico
  5. ^ monuc.org: DRC MP killed in plane crash ::: 22/06/2007
  6. ^ Aviation Safety Net
  7. ^ http://www.eltiempo.com/nacion/llano/2007-10-11/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3761687.html
  8. ^ Aviation Safety Net

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

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