Cessna 402

Cessna 402

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_402

Cessna 401 & 402

1967 model Cessna 402
Role	Corporate transport and airliner
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Cessna
Produced	1966-1985
Developed from	Cessna 411^[1]

The Cessna 401 and 402 are series of 6 to 10 place light twin piston engine aircraft. This line was manufactured by Cessna from 1966 to 1985 under the name Utiliner and Businessliner. All seats are easily removable so that the aircraft can be used in an all-cargo configuration.

Neither the Cessna 401 and 402 were pressurized, nor are they particularly fast for the installed horsepower. Instead Cessna intended them to be inexpensive to purchase and operate.

Development

The Cessna 401 and 402 were developments of the Cessna 411. All 401s and 402s are powered by 300 hp (225 kW) turbocharged Continental engines with three-bladed, constant speed, fully feathering propellers. On later models cruise power was limited to 75% to reduce cabin noise. Some aircraft have a propeller synchrophaser to reduce cabin noise and vibration.

The Cessna 401s, 402s, 402As and some 402Bs built from 1966 to 1971 had four small oval windows, which gave the aircraft a similar appearance to the pressurized Cessna 340. Starting half-way through the production of the Cessna 402B the window configuration was changed to the more distinctive five rectangular windows, an arrangement that was retained through the 402C model, until the completion of production in 1987. All 402Bs were equipped with tip-tanks.

Modifications

In 1969, American Jet Industries began work on a turboprop-powered conversion of the Cessna 402, named the Turbo Star 402, using Allison 250-B17 engines. The prototype flew on 10 June 1970. Further modifications providing increased fuel tankage, higher gross weight, and lower minimum control speed were carried out in 1974 and the modification was recertificated. Scenic Airlines of Las Vegas purchased the rights to the design in 1977.

The Cessna 402C may be outfitted with vortex generators to increase maximum allowable takeoff weight to 7,210 lbs, with a zero-fuel weight of 6,750 lbs.

Another modification for the 402C increases the maximum landing weight to 7,200 lbs, which allows commercial operators to fly with an increased payload on shorter routes.

Variants

The 1967 model Cessna 402 showing the four oval windows characteristic of early 402s

This family of aircraft was built in several versions:

401

Six to eight seat interior, intended for corporate transport. Produced 1966-1972. 404 were built. The replacement for the 401 in the corporate transport role was the 402 Businessliner variant. Certified 20 September 1966.

401A

A 401 with minor changes, 132 built. Certified 29 October 1968.

401B

A 401A with minor changes, 91 built later replaced by the 402B. Certified 12 November 1969.

402

A 401 with either a utility (for freight) or nine-seat commuter use, number built included in 401 totals. Certified 20 September 1966.

402A

A 402 with a baggage compartment in lengthened nose and an optional crew entry door, 129 built. Certified 3 January 1969.

402B Utiliner/Businessliner

402A with minor changes, from 1972 had increased cabin volume and five windows each side, 129 built. Certified 12 November 1969.

Utiliner version has a ten-seat interior intended for commuter airline operations.
Businessliner version has a six to eight-seat interior with executive seating intended for corporate transport

402C Utiliner/Businessliner: 402B with increased takeoff weight, longer span wings without tip tanks and new landing gear, 681 built. Certified 25 September 1978.

1535 Cessna 402s were built.

Operators

Two Cape Air Cessna 402C's in San Juan, PR

Civilian

The Cessna 402 has proven to be a very dependable aircraft over the years which, along with its range and passenger capacity has made it a popular choice for many small regional airlines worldwide. The planes are generally utilized on short, thin routes to hubs were passengers can connect to higher density routes.

The largest operator of the type is Cape Air, which currently has a fleet of 55 402Cs operating in the Caribbean, Florida, New England and upstate New York.

Military

Barbados
Bolivia
Colombia
Comoros
Malaysia
Mexico
Paraguay
South Africa
Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuela

Accidents

American R&B singer Aaliyah died along with her entourage of seven, including make up artists and record label executives in a Cessna 402B crash in 2001 in The Bahamas.

Specifications (402C)

Data from Plane & Pilot, Airliners.net, The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage

General characteristics

Crew: One or two
Capacity: Up to 9 passengers depending on configuration
Length: 36 ft 5 in (11.09 m)
Wingspan: 44 ft 2 in (13.45 m)
Height: 11 ft 6 in (3.49 m)
Wing area: 225.8 ft² (21.0 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 23018 (root) NACA 23015 (tip)
Empty weight: 4,069 lb (1,845 kg)
Loaded weight: 6,865 lb (3,114 kg)
Useful load: 2781 lb (1262 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 6,850 lb (3,107 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Continental TSIO-520-VB turbocharged, fuel-injected piston engines, 325 hp (240 kW) each