Beechjet 400

Beechjet 400
Name	Beechjet 400
Caption	A Beechjet 400A in flight
Type	Light business jet
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Beechcraft
First flight	1985
Introduced	1986
Status	In service
Primary user	United States Air Force (as T-1A Jayhawk)
Number built	400+
Developed from	Mitsubishi Diamond
Developed into	Hawker 400

Beechjet 400. The Beechjet 400 is a light business jet originally developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the Diamond II and later produced and marketed by Beechcraft. It is a twin-turbofan aircraft known for its performance and became a significant platform for corporate travel and military training. The design was subsequently acquired by Raytheon Aircraft Company and later by Hawker Beechcraft, which further developed the type.

Development and design

The aircraft's origins trace to Japan, where Mitsubishi Heavy Industries designed the MU-300 Diamond as a private venture. Seeking a stronger foothold in the North American market, Mitsubishi partnered with Beechcraft in 1985, leading to the redesignated Beechjet 400. The airframe features a T-tail configuration and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofan engines mounted on the rear fuselage. Key design collaborators included engineers from Williams International, who contributed to the propulsion system. The Federal Aviation Administration certified the model under Part 23 regulations, with significant design work conducted at facilities in Wichita, Kansas.

Operational history

Entering service in 1986, the Beechjet 400 quickly gained popularity among fractional ownership companies like NetJets and Flight Options. Its most prominent military role began in 1992 when the United States Air Force selected it as the T-1A Jayhawk for training pilots destined for Boeing KC-135 and McDonnell Douglas KC-10 tanker aircraft. The Air Education and Training Command operates the majority of these trainers at bases including Columbus Air Force Base and Vance Air Force Base. Numerous aircraft also serve with charter operators across Europe and Asia, with a strong presence in markets like Mexico and Australia.

Variants

The primary initial model was the Beechjet 400, identical to the Diamond II. The improved Beechjet 400A, introduced in 1990, featured an upgraded Collins avionics suite and a redesigned cabin. Following the acquisition of the program by Raytheon Aircraft Company, the aircraft was marketed as the Hawker 400XP, which included more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 engines. The military T-1A Jayhawk is a dedicated trainer variant for the United States Air Force, equipped with specific mission systems. Subsequent limited editions included the Hawker 400XPR from Hawker Beechcraft.

Specifications (Beechjet 400A)

* **Crew:** 2 pilots * **Capacity:** 7–9 passengers * **Length:** 48.5 ft (14.8 m) * **Wingspan:** 43.5 ft (13.3 m) * **Height:** 13.9 ft (4.2 m) * **Empty weight:** 9,300 lb (4,218 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 16,100 lb (7,303 kg) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 turbofans * **Maximum speed:** Mach 0.78 * **Range:** 1,870 nmi (3,463 km) * **Service ceiling:** 45,000 ft (13,716 m) * **Avionics:** Collins Pro Line 4 suite

Operators

Primary civil operators have included fractional providers such as NetJets and Flexjet, alongside many private individuals and corporations. The largest military operator is the United States Air Force, which fields the T-1A with the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base and the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base. Other significant operators are found in Japan, where All Nippon Airways utilized them for charter, and in Mexico with companies like Global Air. The aircraft is also common in the fleets of air taxi services throughout Europe.

Accidents and incidents

Notable accidents include the 1996 crash of a United States Air Force T-1A near Columbus, Mississippi, which resulted in the loss of both crew members. In 2004, a Beechjet 400 operated by Petroleum Helicopters Inc. crashed on approach to New Orleans Lakefront Airport, killing all three on board. A 2008 incident involved a Hawker 400XP that overran the runway at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, resulting in injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated several incidents involving landing gear failures and controlled flight into terrain.

Category:Beechcraft aircraft Category:Light business jets Category:Twinjets Category:United States military trainer aircraft