Harbin Y-12

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox aircraft

The Harbin Y-12 (Template:Lang-zh) is a high wing twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). It is the first Chinese-designed and produced aircraft to receive type certificate from the FAA in March 1995.

Design and developmentEdit

The Y-12 started as a development of the Harbin Y-11 airframe called Y-11T in 1980.<ref name = "CA">Gordon, Yefim & Komissarov, Dmitry. Chinese Aircraft. Hikoki Publications. Manchester. 2008. Template:ISBN</ref> The design featured numerous improvements including a redesigned wing with a new low drag section, a larger fuselage and bonded rather than riveted construction. It also replaced the radial piston engines with turboprops.<ref name = "CA"/>

The prototype first flew in 1982,<ref name=CAANZTA>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> followed by about 30 production Y-12 (I) aircraft before a revised version was produced. This was designated the Y-12 (II), which featured more powerful engines and removal of leading edge slats, first flying on 16 August 1984 and receiving Chinese certification in December of the following year.<ref name="Janes 88 p38">JWR Taylor 1988, p.38.</ref>

China and the US signed a bilateral airworthiness agreement to allow the FAA and General Administration of Civil Aviation of China overseeing the manufacture of US aircraft in China in 1991. Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) applied for Part 23 certification of the Y-12 in September 1992. Modifications are made to the Y-12 (II) to meet US requirements, including a larger, reshaped, wing with wing-lets and landing gear reinforced with stronger struts.<ref name="FAAapproval">Template:Cite news</ref> The power plants are two locally made Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprops with Hartzell propellers. The Y-12 has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg (12,600 lb) with seating for 17 passengers and two crew. The aircraft is operated as a light commuter and transport aircraft.Template:Citation needed The Y-12 (IV) received its type certificate from the FAA in March 1995, a first for an aircraft designed and produced in China.<ref name="FAAapproval"/><ref name=CAANZTA/> According to an FAA official: the Y-12 programme was a vehicle to demonstrate the CAAC's compatibility with FAR Part 23 and most Chinese CCAR-23 certification procedures for small-category aircraft are recognised by the FAA.<ref name="FAAapproval"/> In early 1995, it is reported overseas sales totaled 61 aircraft to 13 countries including Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal and Peru.<ref name="FAAapproval"/>

In 1999, HAMC was reorganised into Hafei Aviation Industry (HAI).<ref name=CAANZTA/>

The latest development is the Y-12F, which is almost a new design with many improvements: new wings, landing gear, fuselage, more powerful engines, and extended payload and range. The Y-12F made its maiden flight on December 29, 2010,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> received CAAC type certification on December 10, 2015, FAA type certification on February 22, 2016,<ref name="Y-12F certification">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and EASA type certification on July 13, 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2015, Kenmore Air announced that they would begin development of floats for the Y-12 for FAA certification.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Y-12 completed the FAA evaluation flight tests for its automatic flight control system on June 30, 2018, with its performance meeting the requirements, said AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Company Ltd (AVIC HAFEI).<ref name="China's Y-12 plane passes FAA flight tests for automatic flight control - Chinadaily.com.cn">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

VariantsEdit

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File:Harbin Y-12 (II).jpg

Harbin Y-12 (II) at China Aviation Museum, Beijing

File:Y12e.jpg

Harbin Y-12E

File:AVIC Harbin Y12F.jpg

Harbin Y-12F

Y-12 (I): Twin-engined STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 500-shp (373-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 turboprop engines. Seating for 17 passengers and a MTOW of 5,000 kg.<ref name=CAANZTA/>
Y-12 (II): Fitted with more powerful 600-hp PT6A-27 engines, received type certificate from UK CAA in 1990, with aircraft operate in Malaysia and Fiji.<ref name=CAANZTA/>
Y-12 (III): Planned version to be fitted with WJ-9 turboprop. Evolved to Y-12C because of IV's success when WJ-9 development was completed.
Y-12 (IV): Improved version. Revised wingtips (span increased to 19.2 m (63 ft)) and increased max. takeoff weight to 5,700 kg. 18-19 passengers.<ref name=CAANZTA/> This version is the first aircraft in the series certified by the FAA in 1995.<ref name="FAATC1">FAA Y-12 IV and Y-12E Type Certificate Template:Webarchive retrieved 17 August 2013.</ref>
Y-12C: Basically a (IV) version with WJ-9 turboprop, used by PLAAF for aerial survey.
Y-12D: Domestically deployed military version with upgraded engines driving four-bladed propellers, used by PLA Airborne Corps for parachute training.
Y-12E: Variant with 18 passenger seats. PT6A-135A engines of equal horsepower but increased torque driving four-bladed propellers. This version was certified by the FAA in 2006.<ref name="FAATC">FAA Y-12 IV and Y-12E Type Certificate Template:Webarchive retrieved 12 November 2009.</ref>
Y-12F: The latest development with almost everything redesigned: wider fuselage, new wings, retractable landing gear and more powerful PT6A-65B engines.<ref>Francis, Leithen. "Harbin Y-12 turboprop to be bigger" Flight International 20 September 2007 (online version) Template:Webarchive retrieved 12 November 2009</ref> The Y-12F has higher cruise speed, longer range and can accommodate 19 passengers or 3x LD3 containers.<ref name="AVIC Y-12F webpage">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Design started in April 2005 and the maiden flight was on 29 December 2010.<ref name="AVIC website">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> CAAC type certification was received on 10 December 2015 and FAA certification on 22 February 2016.<ref name="Y-12F certification" /> The Y-12F passed flight tests for its automatic flight control system by the FAA on 30 June 2018.<ref name="China's Y-12 plane passes FAA flight tests for automatic flight control - Chinadaily.com.cn" /> It was demonstrated during the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow.

Y-12G: Proposed cargo version of Y-12F.
Turbo Panda: Export name for (II) version, marketed by England and Japanese companies. No real order due to airworthiness certification.
Twin Panda: Originally (II) version for export. Later a modified Y-12 (IV) powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop engines and fitted with uprated undercarriage, upgraded avionics and interior. Thirty-five orders reportedly received by 2000 but production not proceeded with.

OperatorsEdit

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Military operatorsEdit

File:Namibian Air Force - Harbin Y12-II.jpg

Namibian Air Force Harbin Y-12

Template:AFG

Afghan Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:CAM

Royal Cambodian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p32">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 32.</ref>

Template:CHN

People's Liberation Army Air Force - 12 Y-12D operated by the Airborne Corps Template:Sfn

Template:DJI

Djibouti Air Force - 2 as of December 2016.<ref name="fiwaf16 p34">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 34.</ref>

Template:ERI

Eritrean Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p35">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 35.</ref>

Template:GHA

Ghana Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p36">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 36.</ref>

Template:GUY

Guyana Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p36"/>

File:Sri Lanka 70th Independence - SLAF (cropped).jpg

Harbin Y-12 II of the Sri Lanka Air Force

Template:IRN

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p37">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 37.</ref>

Template:KEN

Kenya Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p39">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 39.</ref> To be replaced by the C-145 Skytruck.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:MLI

Mali Air Force – 2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:MRT

Mauritanian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p40">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 40.</ref>

Template:MYA

Myanmar Air Force - 20 as of 2020.<ref name="fiwaf16 p41">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 41.</ref>

Template:NAM

Namibian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p41"/>

Template:PAK

Pakistan Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p43">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 43.</ref>
Pakistan Army<ref name="fiwaf16 p44">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 44.</ref>

Template:PER

Policía Nacional del Perú<ref name="jawa03 p82">Jackson 2003, p. 82.</ref>
Peruvian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf12 p57">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 57.</ref>

Template:SRI

Sri Lanka Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p47">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 47.</ref>

Template:TAN

Tanzanian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p48">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 48.</ref>

Template:ZAM

Zambian Air Force<ref name="fiwaf16 p53">Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 53.</ref>

Government operatorsEdit

Template:CRC

Air Vigilance Service (2)

Template:CHN

China Marine Surveillance (3) (Former)

Template:CGO

Ministry of Transport (2)

Template:FSM

Federated States of Micronesia (1)

Template:SEY

Republic of Seychelles (2)

Civil operatorsEdit

File:YJAV5.JPG

An Air Vanuatu Harbin Y-12 with revised wingtips

Template:CHN

China Flying Dragon Aviation
China Heilongjiang Longken General Aviation
Donghua General Aviation
Jiangnan General Aviation
Ordos General Aviation Co. Ltd.
Shuangyang General Aviation
Xinjiang General Aviation<ref name="fiwac16 p42"/>
Ying'an Airlines<ref name="fiwac16 p42"/>
Zhong Fei General Aviation Company

Template:COL

SATENA (2, 1 on order)<ref name="fiwac16 p42"/>

Template:COG

Trans Air Congo (10 on order)

Template:DRC

LAC
Congo Airways - 2 on order as of July 2016.<ref name="fiwac16 p42">Thisdell and Fafard Flight International 9–15 August 2016, p. 42.</ref>

Template:FSM

Caroline Islands Air

Template:FIJ

Air Fiji<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:IDN

Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter (SMAC)
Dirgantara Air Service (DAS)

Template:IRN

Pouya Air

Template:KIR

Air Kiribati

Template:MAS

Berjaya Air

Template:MGL

MIAT Mongolian Airlines- After 2 planes crashed, the remaining 3 planes were returned to the manufacturer.

Template:NEP

Nepal Airlines - 4 Delivered in 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> All 4 grounded in 2020 due to sub-standard performance and high operating costs.<ref name="Nepal">Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:PAK

Air Eagle<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:SRI

Helitours<ref name="fiwaf12 p60">Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 60.</ref>

Template:TON

Lulutai Airlines (1) <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:UGA

Uganda Air Cargo (2)

Accidents and incidentsEdit

On 13 December 1993, a Lao Aviation (now Lao Airlines) Y-12-II, registration RDPL-34117, clipped trees in fog and crashed at Phonsavan, Laos, killing all 18 on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 4 April 1995, a TANS Y-12-II, registration 333/OB-1498, crashed shortly after takeoff from Iquitos Airport, Peru, killing all three on board.
On 21 June 1996, a China Flying Dragon Aviation Y-12-II, registration B-3822, crashed into a Template:Convert mountain near Changhai Airport after the crew began the final approach too early and deviated from the intended course, killing two of 12 on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 20 January 1997, a Sri Lanka Air Force Y-12-II, CR851, crashed off Palali Air Base while on a surveillance mission, killing all four on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 10 June 1997, a MIAT Mongolian Airlines Y-12-II, registration JU-1020, crashed at Mandalgobi Airport due to windshear, killing seven of 12 on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 26 May 1998, a MIAT Mongolian Airlines Y-12-II, registration JU-1017, crashed into a Template:Convert mountain near Galt, Mongolia, en route to Tosontsengel due to heavy icing, wing de-ice system fault and overloading, killing all 28 on board; this crash is the worst ever accident involving the Y-12.
On 19 October 2000, Lao Aviation Flight 703 crashed in a mountainous area in bad weather while on approach to Sam Neua, killing eight of 15 passengers; both pilots survived.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 18 May 2005, a Zambia Air Force Y-12-II, AF-216, crashed shortly after takeoff from Mongu Airport, killing all 13 on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 10 April 2006, a Kenya Air Force (KAF) Y-12-II, 132, struck the side of Mount Marsabit, killing 14 of 17 on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 15 June 2008, a China Flying Dragon Aviation Y-12-II, registration B-3841, struck a small hill during a survey flight for a new aluminum mine, killing three of four on board.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 12 July 2012, a Y-12-II of the Mauritanian Air Force crashed while transporting gold, killing all 7 occupants.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 12 May 2014, a Y-12-II of the Kenyan Air Force crashed in El Wak, Kenya. The airplane operated on a flight from Mandera to Nairobi with stops at El Wak and Garissa. Preliminary information suggests that one pilot was killed and the remaining eleven occupants were injured.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
On 26 August 2018, a Y-12e of the Colombian Air Force was damaged in flight as it encountered severe turbulence. The pilot made an emergency landing at Florencia. The aircraft was not repaired, and was scrapped in situ.<ref>AirForces Monthly, Issue 330</ref>
On 3 January 2020, a Y-12-II of the Sri Lankan Air Force crashed to Haputale, Sri Lanka, while on aerial observations, killing all 4 airmen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 4 August 2020, a Y-12-II of the Kenyan Air Force resupplying AMISOM crashed after taking off from Dhobley Airstrip in Somalia. All 10 occupants survived. The aircraft was seriously damaged.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation