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Piper PA-31 Navajo

April 11, 2024

The Piper PA-31 Navajo is a family of twin-engined utility aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for small cargo and feeder airlines, and as a corporate aircraft. Production ran from 1967 to 1984. It was license-built in a number of Latin American countries.

PA-31
Piper PA-31 Navajo, with aftermarket winglets installed
Role utility aircraft
Manufacturer Piper Aircraft
First flight 30 September 1964[1]
Introduction 30 March 1967
Status Active service
Produced 1967–1984[2]
Number built 3942[3]
Variants Piper PA-31T Cheyenne

Development edit

 
Early Navajo with two-bladed propellers and two-part entry door

In 1962, Piper began developing a six- to eight-seat twin-engined corporate and commuter transport aircraft under the project name Inca, at the request of company founder William T. Piper.[2][4] Looking like a scaled-up PA-30 Twin Comanche, the PA-31 made its first flight on 30 September 1964, and was announced later that year.[1][4] It is a low-wing monoplane with a conventional tail, powered by two 310 hp (231 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-A turbocharged engines in "tiger shark" cowlings, a feature shared with the Twin Comanche and the PA-23 Aztec.[4][5][6]

As testing proceeded, two cabin windows were added to each fuselage side and the engines were moved further forward.[6][7] The PA-31, named "Navajo" after the native American tribe, was certified by the FAA on 24 February 1966, again in mid-1966 with an increase in maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) from 6,200 to 6,500 lb (2,812 to 2,948 kg), and deliveries began in 1967.[2][8]

The PA-31-300 was certified by the FAA in June 1967, the only variant without turbocharged engines: 300 hp (224 kW) Lycoming IO-540-M1A5 engines driving two-bladed propellers.[8] Unofficially, the initial model was referred to as the PA-31-310. Only 14 PA-31-300 were built in 1968 and 1969: the smallest variant production.[2][9]

 
Pressurized PA-31P with fewer and smaller windows

In January 1966, development of the PA-31P Pressurized Navajo had begun : Piper's first pressurized aircraft.[10] The PA-31P (or PA-31P-425 unofficially) was certified in late 1969.[11] It was powered by 425 hp (317 kW) Lycoming TIGO-541-E engines, had a longer nose, fewer and smaller windows, 25 US gal (95 L) fuel tanks in the engine nacelles and a one-piece airstair cabin entry door instead of the split pair of doors.[2][11][10] MTOW was increased to 7,800 lb (3,538 kg).[11] The PA-31P was produced from 1970 to 1977.[2]

The 1971 Navajo B featured air conditioning, new storage lockers in the rear of the engine nacelles, increased baggage space, a third door next to the cabin doors for easier baggage loading, and an optional separate door for the pilot to enter the cockpit.[3][12]

 
The PA-31-350 Chieftain, stretched by 2 ft (61 cm)

In September 1972, Piper unveiled the PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, a Navajo B stretched by 2 ft (61 cm) for up to ten seats, with more powerful engines and counter-rotating propellers to prevent critical engine handling problems.[8][13] The Chieftain was powered by 350 hp (261 kW) Lycoming TIO-540 variants, with an opposite-rotation LTIO-540 on the right-hand wing, and MTOW was increased to 7,000 lb (3,175 kg).[8] Deliveries started in 1973, after a delay due to a flood caused by Hurricane Agnes at Piper's factory in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.[13][14]

The 1974 PA-31-325 Navajo C/R was base on the Navajo B.[15] The Navajo C/R had 325 hp (242 kW), lower rated versions of the Chieftain's counter-rotating engines.[8] It was certified in May 1974, and production commenced in the 1975 model year.[15] The Navajo B was also superseded in 1975 by the Navajo C.[15]

In May 1981, Piper established its T1000 Airliner Division at its Lakeland, Florida, factory.[16] The PA-31-350T1020 (or T1020) was a PA-31-350 Chieftain optimized for and marketed for the commuter airline market, without the 40 US gal (151 L) auxiliary fuel tanks in each wing.[8] Up to eleven seats could be fitted, and baggage capacity was reduced from 700 to 600 lb (318 to 272 kg) maximum.[8] The first T1020 was delivered in December 1981.[17]

The PA-31T3 (T1040) was a hybrid with the PA-31-350T1020 main fuselage, and the nose and tail of the PA-31T1 Cheyenne I.[18] The wings were similar to the Cheyenne I's, but with reduced fuel capacity and baggage lockers in the engine nacelles similar to those of the Chieftain.[11] An optional underbelly cargo pod was also available.[11][18] The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 turboprop engines were the same as those of the Cheyenne I.[11] Deliveries began in July 1982.[17] A T1050 variant was proposed, with a fuselage stretch of 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) and seating capacity for 17, but did not proceed.[18]

 
Pressurized PA-31P-350 Mojave

The PA-31P-350 Mojave was also a hybrid, a piston-engined Cheyenne.[19] The Mojave combined the Cheyenne I fuselage with the Chieftain tail.[19] The Chieftain's wings were strengthened, their span was 4 ft (1.2 m) wider and the fuel capacity was enlarged to 243 US gal (920 L).[19] The engines variants had intercoolers, and the rear part of the nacelles were baggage lockers.[19] The Mojave's MTOW rose by 200 lb (91 kg) to 7,200 lb (3,266 kg).[8][11] Certified in 1983, like the T1020 and T1040, the Mojave was produced in 1983 and 1984; combined production with the T1020 and T1040 was below 100 aircraft.[11][14][18] Two experimental PA-31-353s were also built in the mid-1980s.[14]

Licensed manufacture edit

The PA-31 series was manufactured under licence in several countries from kits of parts supplied by Piper.[20][21] Chincul SACAIFI in Argentina assembled most of the series as the PA-A-31, PA-A-31-325, PA-A-31P and PA-A-31-350 and Aero Industrial Colombiana SA (AICSA) in Colombia assembled PA-31, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350 aircraft.[22] The PA-31-350 Chieftain was also assembled under licence in Brazil by Embraer as the EMB 820C Navajo.[23][21] In 1984, Embraer subsidiary company Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva began converting Embraer EMB 820Cs by installing Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engines; Neiva called the converted aircraft the Carajá.[24]

Variants edit

 
commuter cabin
PA-31 Navajo
Initial production version, also known unofficially as the PA-31-310.[2][8]
PA-31-300 Navajo
Variant of the Navajo with normally aspirated engines; 14 built.[2][9]
PA-31 Navajo B
Marketing name for 1971 improved variant with 310 hp (231 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-E turbo-charged piston engines, new airconditioning and optional pilot access door and optional wide utility door.[3]
PA-31 Navajo C
Marketing name for 1974 improved variant with 310 hp (231 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-A2C engines and other minor improvements.[3]
PA-31P Pressurized Navajo
Pressurized version of the PA-31 Navajo, powered by two 425-hp (317-kW) Lycoming TIGO-541-E1A piston engines.[2][11]
PA-31-325 Navajo
Referred to as the "Navajo C/R" for Counter-rotating; variant of Navajo with counter-rotating engines introduced with the PA-31-350 Chieftain. 325 hp (242 kW) Lycoming TIO-540 / LTIO-540 engines
PA-31-350 Chieftain
Stretched version of the Navajo with more powerful 350-hp (261-kW) counter-rotating engines (a Lycoming TIO-540 and a Lycoming LTIO-540) to eliminate critical engine issues.
PA-31P-350 Mojave
Piston-engined variant of the PA-31T1 Cheyenne I; 50 aircraft built.[11]
PA-31-350T1020
Also known as the T1020/T-1020; variant of the PA-31-350 Chieftain optimised for commuter airline use, with less baggage and fuel capacity and increased seating capacity (nine passengers). First flight September 25, 1981. 21 built.[8][25][26]
PA-31T3
Also known as the T1040/T-1040; turboprop-powered airliner with fuselage of the PA-31-350T1020, and wings, tail and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 engines of PA-31T Cheyenne. First flight July 17, 1981. 24 built.[14][27]
PA-31-353
Experimental version of PA-31-350; two built.[14]
 
license-built EMB 820C
T1050
Unbuilt airliner variant with fuselage lengthened by 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) compared to the PA-31-350.
EMB 820C
Version of Chieftain built under license by Embraer in Brazil.
Neiva Carajá
Turboprop conversion of EMB 820C, fitted with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines flat-rated to 550shp. The Carajá's MTOW of 8,003 pounds (3,630 kg) was 1,000 pounds (454 kg) more than that of the Chieftain.[24]
 
Panther conversion with four-blade propellers
Colemill Panther
Re-engined Navajo with 350 hp (261 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-J2B engines, four-blade Hartzell "Q-Tip" propellers and optional winglets. Conversion designed by Colemill Enterprises of Nashville, Tennessee.[28][29] The supplemental type certificates (STCs) were subsequently sold to Mike Jones Aircraft Sales, which continues to convert PA-31, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350 variants with Colemill-developed features.[30][31]
Number built[3]
Type Built Location
PA-31 1785 Lock Haven
Lakeland
PA-31-350 1825 Lock Haven
Lakeland
T-1020 21 Lakeland
PA-31-353 2 Lakeland
PA-31P 259 Lock Haven
PA-31P-350 50 Lock Haven
Total 3942

Operators edit

Civil edit

The Navajo family is popular with air charter companies, small feeder airlines and commuter air carriers in many countries,[citation needed] and is also operated by private individuals and companies.

The PA-31 Navajo was also formerly operated in scheduled passenger airline service in the U.S. in 1968 by Air West, the predecessor of Hughes Airwest which in turn subsequently became an all-jet airline.[32][33]West Coast Airlines, the predecessor of Air West, began operating the PA-31 Navajo in passenger service in 1967 and called the aircraft the "MiniLiner".[34] West Coast, which was also operating Douglas DC-9-10 jets and Fairchild F-27 turboprops at the time, claimed to be the first "regular airline" to operate the PA-31 Navajo in scheduled service.[35][36]

Military edit

Chile
Colombia
Dominican Republic
Finland
France
Honduras
Kenya
Spain
United Kingdom

Accidents and incidents edit

  • December 3, 1983: SouthCentral Air Flight 59, a PA-31-350 registered N35206, carrying eight passengers and one pilot, was on the takeoff roll at Anchorage International Airport when it collided head-on with Korean Air Lines Flight 084, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 freighter HL7339. The Piper struck the DC-10's left and center main landing gear and three passengers sustained minor injuries; the DC-10 overran the runway and the three crew suffered serious injuries. Investigators determined that the Korean Air Lines pilot had become disoriented taxiing in fog, failed to follow correct procedures and confirm his position, and accidentally initiated takeoff from the wrong runway. Both aircraft were severely damaged and were written off.[45]
  • May 31, 2000: Whyalla Airlines Flight 904 was a scheduled commuter flight, operated by a Piper PA-31 Navajo which crashed while attempting to ditch in the Spencer Gulf, South Australia after suffering failures of both engines on the evening of 31 May 2000. All 8 people on board the aircraft were killed as a result of the accident. The findings of a subsequent investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau highlighting the airline's operating procedures as a key factor leading to the accident were later overturned after they were contradicted by evidence presented at a coronial inquiry into the deaths of those on board the flight.[46] The safety implications arising from the accident were subject to a recall by engine manufacturer Textron Lycoming which saw close to 1000 aircraft grounded worldwide while defects were rectified at an estimated cost of $A66 million. Australia's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority also mandated lifejackets be carried on all aircraft operating over water after the crash.[47]
  • On November 21,2022: The plane was chartered to carry a team of six people from Medellín to Pizarro, Choco. Shortly after taking off from runway 02 at Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, the crew encountered engine problems. The airplane lost altitude, went out of control and crashed onto a house, less than one-half mile from the runway end and burst in flames.

Aircraft on display edit

Spain
  • A PA-31P Pressurized Navajo formerly operated by the Spanish Air Force is on display at the Museo del Aire in Madrid.[43]

Specifications (PA-31 Navajo) edit

 
cockpit
 
PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77 [48]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2
  • Capacity: 5 to 7 passengers
  • Length: 32 ft 7+1⁄2 in (9.94 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft 8 in (12.40 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
  • Wing area: 229 sq ft (21.3 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA 634415 at root, 631212
  • Empty weight: 3,930 lb (1,783 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 190 US gal (160 imp gal; 720 L) total, 187 US gal (156 imp gal; 710 L) useable
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming TIO-540-A air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 310 hp (230 kW) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell metal, fully feathering propellers, 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 261 mph (420 km/h, 227 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
  • Cruise speed: 238 mph (383 km/h, 207 kn) at 20,000 ft (6,100 m) (econ. cruise)
  • Stall speed: 73 mph (117 km/h, 63 kn) (flaps down)
  • Never exceed speed: 272 mph (438 km/h, 236 kn) [8]
  • Range: 1,165 mi (1,875 km, 1,012 nmi) at 20,000 ft (6,100 m) (econ. cruise speed)
  • Service ceiling: 26,300 ft (8,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,445 ft/min (7.34 m/s)

See also edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Piper PA-31.

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ a b Taylor 1976, p.354.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i . airliners.net. 2009. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e Peperell 1987, pp. 179-201
  4. ^ a b c "World News: Piper's New Medium Twin". Flight International, Volume 86, Number 2911, 24 December 1964, p.1065. Retrieved 2010-04-05
  5. ^ Lambert (1963), p.470
  6. ^ a b "Refinements in the Piper range". Flight International, Volume 87, Number 2922, 11 March 1965, p.367. Retrieved 2010-04-05
  7. ^ "Air Report", Flight Magazine (1965), p.7
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k FAA Type Certificate A20SO for Piper PA-31 / PA-31-300 / PA-31-325 / PA-31-350 series aircraft retrieved 2010-04-01
  9. ^ a b Piper Aircraft Inc. Customer Service Information, p.38
  10. ^ a b "Light Commercial & Business: High-flying Navajo". Flight International, Volume 97, Number 3191, p.775. Retrieved 2010-04-08
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j FAA Type Certificate A8EA for Piper PA-31P / PA-31T1 / PA-31T2 / PA-31T3 / PA-31P-350 series aircraft retrieved 2010-04-03
  12. ^ "NBAA and after" Flight International magazine, 14 October 1971, p.603 (online archive version) retrieved 2010-04-05
  13. ^ a b "Piper announces Navajo Chieftain" Flight International magazine, 14 September 1972, p.360 (online archive version) retrieved 2010-04-06
  14. ^ a b c d e . airliners.net. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  15. ^ a b c Manual P/No. 753-703, Introduction, p.3
  16. ^ Levy (1983), p.1152
  17. ^ a b Levy (1983), p.1153
  18. ^ a b c d Barnett (1983), p.833
  19. ^ a b c d Barnett, Cliff. "Pressurised comfort, piston costs: Mojave flight test", Flight International magazine, 5 November 1983, p.1232 (online archive version) retrieved 2010-04-05
  20. ^ "Argentine Piper factory" Flight International magazine, 10 May 1973, p.700 (online archive version) retrieved 2010-04-11
  21. ^ a b Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil Type Certificate EA-7505-02 for EMB 820C Navajo aircraft 2010-12-14 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2010-04-11
  22. ^ Marsh (2006), p.49
  23. ^ Bonelli and Pinheiro, (2008), p.34.
  24. ^ a b "Caraja deliveries start", Flight International magazine, 12 January 1985, p.12 (online archive version) retrieved 2010-04-03
  25. ^ Manual P/No. 761-775, Introduction, p.3
  26. ^ Taylor 1982, pp. 450–451.
  27. ^ Taylor 1982, p. 451.
  28. ^ Colemill Enterprises. . Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  29. ^ Michell 1994, p. 305.
  30. ^ "FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA970SO" (PDF). faa.gov. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  31. ^ "A total renovation of the PA-31".
  32. ^ http://www.timetableimages.com, July 1, 1968 Air West system timetable, page 9
  33. ^ https://www.timetableimages.com/i-or/rw7203a.jpg
  34. ^ "WCgigantic67".
  35. ^ "West Coast Airlines".
  36. ^ "WCgigantic67".
  37. ^ Hatch, Paul (August 1985). "Air Forces of the World: Chilean Naval Air Service". Air Pictorial. Vol. 47, no. 8. p. 291.
  38. ^ a b "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Hoyle Flight International 4–10 December 2018, p. 43.
  40. ^ Sixma and Laukkanen Air International July 1986, p. 12.
  41. ^ "Piper PA31 Navajo". Netmarine.net. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  42. ^ Wheeler Flight International 4 August 1979, p. 364.
  43. ^ a b “Piper Navajo”, information placard, Museo del Aire
  44. ^ "Aircraft ZF622 (1980 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain C/N 31-8052033) Photo by Malcolm Clarke (Photo ID: AC437577)". airport-data.com. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  45. ^ (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. August 9, 1984. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  46. ^ Chivell, Wayne (July 24, 2003). "Findings of Inquest". airsafety.com.au.
  47. ^ Milovanovic, Selma (January 29, 2003). "Air crash inquest enters final chapter". The Age.
  48. ^ Taylor 1976, p.354–355.

Bibliography edit

  • Barnett, Cliff. "Piper looks ahead". Flight International, 24 September 1983, Vol. 124, No. 3881. p.833.
  • Bonelli, Regis and Pinheiro, Armando Castelar. New Export Activities in Brazil: Comparative Advantage, Policy or Self-Discovery, Research Network Working Paper #R-551, Inter-American Development Bank, July 2008.
  • Flight Magazine, Volume 54, No. 11, November 1965. Air Review Publishing Corporation, Dallas, Texas.
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 4–10 December 2018, Vol. 194, No. 5665, pp. 32–60. ISSN 0015-3710
  • Lambert, Mark. "In the air: Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche." Flight International, 12 September 1963, Vol. 84, No. 2844, pp. 468–470.
  • Levy, Howard. "Piper consolidates at Lakeland". Flight International, 30 April 1983, Vol. 123, No. 3860, pp. 1152–1153.
  • Marsh, David. . European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) May 2006. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  • Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
  • retrieved 2010-04-08
  • Piper Airplane Parts Catalog: PA-31 Navajo, PA-31-300 Navajo, PA-31-325 Navajo C/R; September 10, 2009. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number 753-703
  • Piper Navajo Information Manual, Revision 9, March 18, 1994. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number 761-723
  • Piper Navajo Pilot's Operating Manual, Revision 34, April 22nd 2002. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number 761-456
  • Piper T1020 Parts Catalog, Revision 10, September 10, 2009. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number 761-775
  • Sixma, Herman J. and Jyrki Laukkanen. "Far Northern Air Force: The Finnish Air Arm Today". Air International, July 1986, Vol. 31, No. 1. pp. 7–13. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976, ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982, ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.
  • Wheeler, Barry C. "World's Air Forces 1979". Flight International, 4 August 1979, Vol. 116, No. 3672. pp. 333–386.

April 11, 2024
piper, navajo, family, twin, engined, utility, aircraft, designed, built, piper, aircraft, small, cargo, feeder, airlines, corporate, aircraft, production, from, 1967, 1984, license, built, number, latin, american, countries, with, aftermarket, winglets, insta. The Piper PA 31 Navajo is a family of twin engined utility aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for small cargo and feeder airlines and as a corporate aircraft Production ran from 1967 to 1984 It was license built in a number of Latin American countries PA 31Piper PA 31 Navajo with aftermarket winglets installedRole utility aircraftManufacturer Piper AircraftFirst flight 30 September 1964 1 Introduction 30 March 1967Status Active serviceProduced 1967 1984 2 Number built 3942 3 Variants Piper PA 31T Cheyenne Contents 1 Development 1 1 Licensed manufacture 2 Variants 3 Operators 3 1 Civil 3 2 Military 4 Accidents and incidents 5 Aircraft on display 6 Specifications PA 31 Navajo 7 See also 8 References 8 1 Citations 8 2 BibliographyDevelopment edit nbsp Early Navajo with two bladed propellers and two part entry doorIn 1962 Piper began developing a six to eight seat twin engined corporate and commuter transport aircraft under the project name Inca at the request of company founder William T Piper 2 4 Looking like a scaled up PA 30 Twin Comanche the PA 31 made its first flight on 30 September 1964 and was announced later that year 1 4 It is a low wing monoplane with a conventional tail powered by two 310 hp 231 kW Lycoming TIO 540 A turbocharged engines in tiger shark cowlings a feature shared with the Twin Comanche and the PA 23 Aztec 4 5 6 As testing proceeded two cabin windows were added to each fuselage side and the engines were moved further forward 6 7 The PA 31 named Navajo after the native American tribe was certified by the FAA on 24 February 1966 again in mid 1966 with an increase in maximum takeoff weight MTOW from 6 200 to 6 500 lb 2 812 to 2 948 kg and deliveries began in 1967 2 8 The PA 31 300 was certified by the FAA in June 1967 the only variant without turbocharged engines 300 hp 224 kW Lycoming IO 540 M1A5 engines driving two bladed propellers 8 Unofficially the initial model was referred to as the PA 31 310 Only 14 PA 31 300 were built in 1968 and 1969 the smallest variant production 2 9 nbsp Pressurized PA 31P with fewer and smaller windowsIn January 1966 development of the PA 31P Pressurized Navajo had begun Piper s first pressurized aircraft 10 The PA 31P or PA 31P 425 unofficially was certified in late 1969 11 It was powered by 425 hp 317 kW Lycoming TIGO 541 E engines had a longer nose fewer and smaller windows 25 US gal 95 L fuel tanks in the engine nacelles and a one piece airstair cabin entry door instead of the split pair of doors 2 11 10 MTOW was increased to 7 800 lb 3 538 kg 11 The PA 31P was produced from 1970 to 1977 2 The 1971 Navajo B featured air conditioning new storage lockers in the rear of the engine nacelles increased baggage space a third door next to the cabin doors for easier baggage loading and an optional separate door for the pilot to enter the cockpit 3 12 nbsp The PA 31 350 Chieftain stretched by 2 ft 61 cm In September 1972 Piper unveiled the PA 31 350 Navajo Chieftain a Navajo B stretched by 2 ft 61 cm for up to ten seats with more powerful engines and counter rotating propellers to prevent critical engine handling problems 8 13 The Chieftain was powered by 350 hp 261 kW Lycoming TIO 540 variants with an opposite rotation LTIO 540 on the right hand wing and MTOW was increased to 7 000 lb 3 175 kg 8 Deliveries started in 1973 after a delay due to a flood caused by Hurricane Agnes at Piper s factory in Lock Haven Pennsylvania 13 14 The 1974 PA 31 325 Navajo C R was base on the Navajo B 15 The Navajo C R had 325 hp 242 kW lower rated versions of the Chieftain s counter rotating engines 8 It was certified in May 1974 and production commenced in the 1975 model year 15 The Navajo B was also superseded in 1975 by the Navajo C 15 In May 1981 Piper established its T1000 Airliner Division at its Lakeland Florida factory 16 The PA 31 350T1020 or T1020 was a PA 31 350 Chieftain optimized for and marketed for the commuter airline market without the 40 US gal 151 L auxiliary fuel tanks in each wing 8 Up to eleven seats could be fitted and baggage capacity was reduced from 700 to 600 lb 318 to 272 kg maximum 8 The first T1020 was delivered in December 1981 17 The PA 31T3 T1040 was a hybrid with the PA 31 350T1020 main fuselage and the nose and tail of the PA 31T1 Cheyenne I 18 The wings were similar to the Cheyenne I s but with reduced fuel capacity and baggage lockers in the engine nacelles similar to those of the Chieftain 11 An optional underbelly cargo pod was also available 11 18 The Pratt amp Whitney Canada PT6A 11 turboprop engines were the same as those of the Cheyenne I 11 Deliveries began in July 1982 17 A T1050 variant was proposed with a fuselage stretch of 11 ft 6 in 3 51 m and seating capacity for 17 but did not proceed 18 nbsp Pressurized PA 31P 350 MojaveThe PA 31P 350 Mojave was also a hybrid a piston engined Cheyenne 19 The Mojave combined the Cheyenne I fuselage with the Chieftain tail 19 The Chieftain s wings were strengthened their span was 4 ft 1 2 m wider and the fuel capacity was enlarged to 243 US gal 920 L 19 The engines variants had intercoolers and the rear part of the nacelles were baggage lockers 19 The Mojave s MTOW rose by 200 lb 91 kg to 7 200 lb 3 266 kg 8 11 Certified in 1983 like the T1020 and T1040 the Mojave was produced in 1983 and 1984 combined production with the T1020 and T1040 was below 100 aircraft 11 14 18 Two experimental PA 31 353s were also built in the mid 1980s 14 Licensed manufacture edit The PA 31 series was manufactured under licence in several countries from kits of parts supplied by Piper 20 21 Chincul SACAIFI in Argentina assembled most of the series as the PA A 31 PA A 31 325 PA A 31P and PA A 31 350 and Aero Industrial Colombiana SA AICSA in Colombia assembled PA 31 PA 31 325 and PA 31 350 aircraft 22 The PA 31 350 Chieftain was also assembled under licence in Brazil by Embraer as the EMB 820C Navajo 23 21 In 1984 Embraer subsidiary company Industria Aeronautica Neiva began converting Embraer EMB 820Cs by installing Pratt amp Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engines Neiva called the converted aircraft the Caraja 24 Variants edit nbsp commuter cabinPA 31 Navajo Initial production version also known unofficially as the PA 31 310 2 8 PA 31 300 Navajo Variant of the Navajo with normally aspirated engines 14 built 2 9 PA 31 Navajo B Marketing name for 1971 improved variant with 310 hp 231 kW Lycoming TIO 540 E turbo charged piston engines new airconditioning and optional pilot access door and optional wide utility door 3 PA 31 Navajo C Marketing name for 1974 improved variant with 310 hp 231 kW Lycoming TIO 540 A2C engines and other minor improvements 3 PA 31P Pressurized Navajo Pressurized version of the PA 31 Navajo powered by two 425 hp 317 kW Lycoming TIGO 541 E1A piston engines 2 11 PA 31 325 Navajo Referred to as the Navajo C R for Counter rotating variant of Navajo with counter rotating engines introduced with the PA 31 350 Chieftain 325 hp 242 kW Lycoming TIO 540 LTIO 540 engines PA 31 350 Chieftain Stretched version of the Navajo with more powerful 350 hp 261 kW counter rotating engines a Lycoming TIO 540 and a Lycoming LTIO 540 to eliminate critical engine issues PA 31P 350 Mojave Piston engined variant of the PA 31T1 Cheyenne I 50 aircraft built 11 PA 31 350T1020 Also known as the T1020 T 1020 variant of the PA 31 350 Chieftain optimised for commuter airline use with less baggage and fuel capacity and increased seating capacity nine passengers First flight September 25 1981 21 built 8 25 26 PA 31T3 Also known as the T1040 T 1040 turboprop powered airliner with fuselage of the PA 31 350T1020 and wings tail and Pratt amp Whitney Canada PT6A 11 engines of PA 31T Cheyenne First flight July 17 1981 24 built 14 27 PA 31 353 Experimental version of PA 31 350 two built 14 nbsp license built EMB 820CT1050 Unbuilt airliner variant with fuselage lengthened by 11 ft 6 in 3 51 m compared to the PA 31 350 EMB 820C Version of Chieftain built under license by Embraer in Brazil Neiva Caraja Turboprop conversion of EMB 820C fitted with two Pratt amp Whitney Canada PT6A 27 engines flat rated to 550shp The Caraja s MTOW of 8 003 pounds 3 630 kg was 1 000 pounds 454 kg more than that of the Chieftain 24 nbsp Panther conversion with four blade propellersColemill Panther Re engined Navajo with 350 hp 261 kW Lycoming TIO 540 J2B engines four blade Hartzell Q Tip propellers and optional winglets Conversion designed by Colemill Enterprises of Nashville Tennessee 28 29 The supplemental type certificates STCs were subsequently sold to Mike Jones Aircraft Sales which continues to convert PA 31 PA 31 325 and PA 31 350 variants with Colemill developed features 30 31 Number built 3 Type Built LocationPA 31 1785 Lock HavenLakelandPA 31 350 1825 Lock HavenLakelandT 1020 21 LakelandPA 31 353 2 LakelandPA 31P 259 Lock HavenPA 31P 350 50 Lock HavenTotal 3942Operators editCivil edit The Navajo family is popular with air charter companies small feeder airlines and commuter air carriers in many countries citation needed and is also operated by private individuals and companies The PA 31 Navajo was also formerly operated in scheduled passenger airline service in the U S in 1968 by Air West the predecessor of Hughes Airwest which in turn subsequently became an all jet airline 32 33 West Coast Airlines the predecessor of Air West began operating the PA 31 Navajo in passenger service in 1967 and called the aircraft the MiniLiner 34 West Coast which was also operating Douglas DC 9 10 jets and Fairchild F 27 turboprops at the time claimed to be the first regular airline to operate the PA 31 Navajo in scheduled service 35 36 Military edit ChileChilean Navy purchased a single PA 31 in 1971 37 ColombiaColombian Air Force 38 Colombian Navy 38 Dominican RepublicDominican Republic Air Force operates two PA 31s as of December 2018 39 FinlandFinnish Air Force operated the PA 31 350 Chieftain in the liaison and light transport role 40 FranceFrench Navy former operator 41 HondurasHonduran Air Force operates one PA 31 as of December 2018 39 KenyaKenya Air Force operated a Navajo Chieftain in the VIP role 42 SpainSpanish Air Force 43 United KingdomAeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment former operator 44 better source needed Accidents and incidents editDecember 3 1983 SouthCentral Air Flight 59 a PA 31 350 registered N35206 carrying eight passengers and one pilot was on the takeoff roll at Anchorage International Airport when it collided head on with Korean Air Lines Flight 084 a McDonnell Douglas DC 10 30 freighter HL7339 The Piper struck the DC 10 s left and center main landing gear and three passengers sustained minor injuries the DC 10 overran the runway and the three crew suffered serious injuries Investigators determined that the Korean Air Lines pilot had become disoriented taxiing in fog failed to follow correct procedures and confirm his position and accidentally initiated takeoff from the wrong runway Both aircraft were severely damaged and were written off 45 May 31 2000 Whyalla Airlines Flight 904 was a scheduled commuter flight operated by a Piper PA 31 Navajo which crashed while attempting to ditch in the Spencer Gulf South Australia after suffering failures of both engines on the evening of 31 May 2000 All 8 people on board the aircraft were killed as a result of the accident The findings of a subsequent investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau highlighting the airline s operating procedures as a key factor leading to the accident were later overturned after they were contradicted by evidence presented at a coronial inquiry into the deaths of those on board the flight 46 The safety implications arising from the accident were subject to a recall by engine manufacturer Textron Lycoming which saw close to 1000 aircraft grounded worldwide while defects were rectified at an estimated cost of A66 million Australia s aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Safety Authority also mandated lifejackets be carried on all aircraft operating over water after the crash 47 On November 21 2022 The plane was chartered to carry a team of six people from Medellin to Pizarro Choco Shortly after taking off from runway 02 at Medellin Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport the crew encountered engine problems The airplane lost altitude went out of control and crashed onto a house less than one half mile from the runway end and burst in flames Aircraft on display editSpainA PA 31P Pressurized Navajo formerly operated by the Spanish Air Force is on display at the Museo del Aire in Madrid 43 Specifications PA 31 Navajo edit nbsp cockpit nbsp PA 31 350 Navajo ChieftainData from Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1976 77 48 General characteristicsCrew 1 or 2 Capacity 5 to 7 passengers Length 32 ft 7 1 2 in 9 94 m Wingspan 40 ft 8 in 12 40 m Height 13 ft 0 in 3 96 m Wing area 229 sq ft 21 3 m2 Airfoil NACA 634415 at root 631212 Empty weight 3 930 lb 1 783 kg Max takeoff weight 6 500 lb 2 948 kg Fuel capacity 190 US gal 160 imp gal 720 L total 187 US gal 156 imp gal 710 L useable Powerplant 2 Lycoming TIO 540 A air cooled six cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine 310 hp 230 kW each Propellers 3 bladed Hartzell metal fully feathering propellers 6 ft 8 in 2 03 m diameterPerformance Maximum speed 261 mph 420 km h 227 kn at 15 000 ft 4 600 m Cruise speed 238 mph 383 km h 207 kn at 20 000 ft 6 100 m econ cruise Stall speed 73 mph 117 km h 63 kn flaps down Never exceed speed 272 mph 438 km h 236 kn 8 Range 1 165 mi 1 875 km 1 012 nmi at 20 000 ft 6 100 m econ cruise speed Service ceiling 26 300 ft 8 000 m Rate of climb 1 445 ft min 7 34 m s See also edit nbsp Aviation portal nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Piper PA 31 Related development Piper PA 31T CheyenneAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Beechcraft Queen Air Cessna 402 Cessna 414 Aero Commander 500References editCitations edit a b Taylor 1976 p 354 a b c d e f g h i The Piper PA 31 Navajo Pressurized Navajo airliners net 2009 Archived from the original on April 28 2010 Retrieved January 13 2009 a b c d e Peperell 1987 pp 179 201 a b c World News Piper s New Medium Twin Flight International Volume 86 Number 2911 24 December 1964 p 1065 Retrieved 2010 04 05 Lambert 1963 p 470 a b Refinements in the Piper range Flight International Volume 87 Number 2922 11 March 1965 p 367 Retrieved 2010 04 05 Air Report Flight Magazine 1965 p 7 a b c d e f g h i j k FAA Type Certificate A20SO for Piper PA 31 PA 31 300 PA 31 325 PA 31 350 series aircraft retrieved 2010 04 01 a b Piper Aircraft Inc Customer Service Information p 38 a b Light Commercial amp Business High flying Navajo Flight International Volume 97 Number 3191 p 775 Retrieved 2010 04 08 a b c d e f g h i j FAA Type Certificate A8EA for Piper PA 31P PA 31T1 PA 31T2 PA 31T3 PA 31P 350 series aircraft retrieved 2010 04 03 NBAA and after Flight International magazine 14 October 1971 p 603 online archive version retrieved 2010 04 05 a b Piper announces Navajo Chieftain Flight International magazine 14 September 1972 p 360 online archive version retrieved 2010 04 06 a b c d e Piper PA 31 Chieftain Mojave T 1020 T 1040 airliners net Archived from the original on April 28 2010 Retrieved April 6 2010 a b c Manual P No 753 703 Introduction p 3 Levy 1983 p 1152 a b Levy 1983 p 1153 a b c d Barnett 1983 p 833 a b c d Barnett Cliff Pressurised comfort piston costs Mojave flight test Flight International magazine 5 November 1983 p 1232 online archive version retrieved 2010 04 05 Argentine Piper factory Flight International magazine 10 May 1973 p 700 online archive version retrieved 2010 04 11 a b Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil Type Certificate EA 7505 02 for EMB 820C Navajo aircraft Archived 2010 12 14 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2010 04 11 Marsh 2006 p 49 Bonelli and Pinheiro 2008 p 34 a b Caraja deliveries start Flight International magazine 12 January 1985 p 12 online archive version retrieved 2010 04 03 Manual P No 761 775 Introduction p 3 Taylor 1982 pp 450 451 Taylor 1982 p 451 Colemill Enterprises Colemill Pather conversion Archived from the original on August 15 2010 Retrieved May 21 2011 Michell 1994 p 305 FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA970SO PDF faa gov Retrieved April 20 2017 A total renovation of the PA 31 http www timetableimages com July 1 1968 Air West system timetable page 9 https www timetableimages com i or rw7203a jpg WCgigantic67 West Coast Airlines WCgigantic67 Hatch Paul August 1985 Air Forces of the World Chilean Naval Air Service Air Pictorial Vol 47 no 8 p 291 a b World Air Forces 2022 Flightglobal 2022 Retrieved July 18 2022 a b Hoyle Flight International 4 10 December 2018 p 43 Sixma and Laukkanen Air International July 1986 p 12 Piper PA31 Navajo Netmarine net Retrieved April 3 2014 Wheeler Flight International 4 August 1979 p 364 a b Piper Navajo information placard Museo del Aire Aircraft ZF622 1980 Piper PA 31 350 Navajo Chieftain C N 31 8052033 Photo by Malcolm Clarke Photo ID AC437577 airport data com Retrieved April 20 2017 Korean Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC 10 30 HL7339 SouthCentral Air Piper PA 31 350 N35206 Anchorage Alaska December 23 1983 PDF National Transportation Safety Board August 9 1984 Archived from the original PDF on August 25 2021 Retrieved August 29 2021 Chivell Wayne July 24 2003 Findings of Inquest airsafety com au Milovanovic Selma January 29 2003 Air crash inquest enters final chapter The Age Taylor 1976 p 354 355 Bibliography edit Barnett Cliff Piper looks ahead Flight International 24 September 1983 Vol 124 No 3881 p 833 Bonelli Regis and Pinheiro Armando Castelar New Export Activities in Brazil Comparative Advantage Policy or Self Discovery Research Network Working Paper R 551 Inter American Development Bank July 2008 Flight Magazine Volume 54 No 11 November 1965 Air Review Publishing Corporation Dallas Texas Hoyle Craig World Air Forces Directory Flight International 4 10 December 2018 Vol 194 No 5665 pp 32 60 ISSN 0015 3710 Lambert Mark In the air Piper PA 30 Twin Comanche Flight International 12 September 1963 Vol 84 No 2844 pp 468 470 Levy Howard Piper consolidates at Lakeland Flight International 30 April 1983 Vol 123 No 3860 pp 1152 1153 Marsh David EUROCONTROL Trends in Air Traffic Volume 1 Getting to the Point Business Aviation in Europe European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation EUROCONTROL May 2006 Retrieved 2010 04 11 Michell Simon Jane s Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994 95 Coulsdon UK Jane s Information Group 1994 ISBN 0 7106 1208 7 Piper Aircraft Inc Customer Service Information File 2009 retrieved 2010 04 08 Piper Airplane Parts Catalog PA 31 Navajo PA 31 300 Navajo PA 31 325 Navajo C R September 10 2009 Piper Aircraft Corporation Manual Part Number 753 703 Piper Navajo Information Manual Revision 9 March 18 1994 Piper Aircraft Corporation Manual Part Number 761 723 Piper Navajo Pilot s Operating Manual Revision 34 April 22nd 2002 Piper Aircraft Corporation Manual Part Number 761 456 Piper T1020 Parts Catalog Revision 10 September 10 2009 Piper Aircraft Corporation Manual Part Number 761 775 Sixma Herman J and Jyrki Laukkanen Far Northern Air Force The Finnish Air Arm Today Air International July 1986 Vol 31 No 1 pp 7 13 ISSN 0306 5634 Taylor John W R Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1976 77 London Jane s Yearbooks 1976 ISBN 0 354 00538 3 Taylor John W R Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1982 83 London Jane s Yearbooks 1982 ISBN 0 7106 0748 2 Wheeler Barry C World s Air Forces 1979 Flight International 4 August 1979 Vol 116 No 3672 pp 333 386 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Piper PA 31 Navajo amp oldid 1204640190, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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