| 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–present |
| 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. Since 1969 more than 1100 airframes have been produced.
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Development of the L-410 was started in the 1960s by the Czechoslovak 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 (1,430 km). 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 ex-Soviet states. The aircraft can be used with short or even unpaved runways.
The aircraft has also been approved for operation in a number of other countries, like Algeria, Republic of South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Tunisia, Colombia, Venezuela, South Korea, India and others.
At August 2006, 313 L-410 aircraft remained in airline service. Major operators included: Rivne Universal Avia (13), Atlantic Airlines de Honduras (10), SEARCA (9), Heli Air (7), South East Asian Airlines (6), NHT Linhas Aéreas (6), Aerolineas Sosa (4), Manx2 (3), Tortug' Air (3), Mombasa Air Safari (3), ABC Air Hungary (3), Kazan Air Enterprise (2), TEAM Linhas Aéreas (2), Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos (2) and UTair (2). Around 111 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.[4]
On August 6, 1977, a L-410 crashed into the Lake Balaton killing one man on board.[5]
On June 7, 1995, a L-410 belonging to Latvian military participated in an airshow in Lielvarde military base in Latvia, during which the pilots tried to perform an (unsanctioned) barrel roll. The maneuver would likely be successful, but the initial altitude was too low (about 350 meters) and the aircraft crashed some 150 meters from spectators, killing both men on board.
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 Yucatán, killing all on board.[6]
On March 2, 2003, a L-410 carrying a load of sport skydivers crashed at the dropzone Borki, Russia. This crash is notable as it happened at high altitude and many of the skydivers survived thanks to their parachutes and the Cypres automatic reserve deployment system.
On May 23, 2004, two Blue Bird Aviation Let L-410 planes hit each other inflight near Mwingi, Kenya. One of the planes crashed into the ground, killing both crew members (all on board), while the other landed safely [7]
On 27 January 2005, a Farnair Hungary Let L-410 aircraft was carrying out a non-directional beacon let-down with radar assistance at Iaşi Airport, Romania, but when the crew notified air traffic control of their position over the airport beacon and their intention to turn right outbound, they were seen to turn left. Then the aircraft spiralled down to crash on the airfield. The two crew members on board were killed. There was light snow at the time.
On March 26, 2005, a West Caribbean Airways Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft, registration HK-4146, on departure from El Embrujo Airport, Isla de Providencia in the Caribbean, failed to climb and hit hills close to runway 1, killing the 2 crew and 6 of the 12 passengers. Initial reports suggest a technical fault (ref: Flight International, July 2005).
On June 2, 2005, a L-410 of Transportes Aéreos 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.[8]
On March 31, 2006 a L-410UVP-E20, operated by TEAM Linhas Aéreas had a fatal accident. TEAM Flight 6865 departed Macaé at 17:19 on a scheduled flight to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont. The airplane PT-FSE was expected to arrive at 18:02. Contact was lost and the flight appeared to have crashed between the cities of Saquarema and Rio Bonito. All 19 people on board died.[9]
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.[10]
On October 8, 2007, a L-410UVP-E10A carrying 15 soldiers and 3 crew members crashed in Cerro Bravo, Colombia.[11][12]
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
On August 25, 2010, a L-410 crashed with 20 fatalities in Bandundu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the sole survivor, the crash was caused by a stampede of passengers after a crocodile escaped from a bag in the cabin. The crocodile itself survived the crash, but was killed by rescuers.[13]
On February 14, 2011, a L-410 operated by Central American Airways carrying 12 passengers and 2 crew members, crashed before landing at Toncontín International Airport. All passengers and crew were killed.[14]
On February 14, 2011, a L-410 operated by African Air Services Commuter, flying on behalf of the World Food Programme on a cargo flight from Kavumu Airport, Democratic Republic of the Congo to Lusenge near Kava in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, crashed into Mont Bienga shortly after departure. Both crew members were killed.[15][16]
On July 13, 2011: a Noar Linhas Aéreas Let L-410 registration PR-NOB operating flight 4896 from Recife to Natal and Mossoró crashed shortly after take-off from Recife. All 16 occupants were killed.[17][18]
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