Saunders ST-27

The Saunders ST -27 is a Canadian airliner of 1969. It represents a modification variant of the de Havilland Heron and can accommodate up to 23 passengers. The provided with a pressurized cabin new variant of ST -28 was no longer in production.

History

Established in 1968 Canadian firm Saunders Aircraft Corporation of Gimli, Manitoba, in the late 1960s was the production rights for the upgrading and modernization of the British commuter plane de Havilland Heron.

Saunders extended the hull of the original Heron in the cabin area by 2.60 meters to increase the passenger capacity from 17 to 23 seats. The nose section was extended by 45 centimeters to more storage space for luggage was available. Furthermore, the four -piston engines of Heron were replaced by two turboprop engines from Pratt & Whitney.

The upgraded model was the type designation " Saunders ST -27 ". The prototype took on 28 May 1969 in Montreal its first flight. In the spring of 1971, the ST -27 received its type certificate, and 13 to 1974 Heron were converted to ST -27. Of these, nine machines to Canadian regional companies, bought a three Colombian society, and was used in the Bahamas.

1974 was developed from the ST- 27, the Saunders ST -28. This decreed inter alia a pressurized cabin and numerous detail improvements. For flight testing a ST- 27 was upgraded to the status of the ST -28. In the ST -28 it should be a completely new aircraft, which should no longer be made ​​of parts of the DH Heron.

However, there were no significant orders for the ST- 28th In addition, the Canadian government refused further financial support for the project after it had granted over 52 million CAD ​​in previous years. Saunders had to cease operations in 1976.

Use

The Saunders ST -27 was for the following companies in use:

  • Voyageur Airways ( Canada )
  • On Air (Canada)
  • Air Atonabee ( Otonabee Airways ) (Canada ) - later renamed City Express
  • ( Canada ) St. Andrews Airways
  • Labrador Airways ( Canada )
  • Aero Linas centrals de Colomia - ACES (Colombia )
  • Northward Aviation (Canada)
  • Bayview Air Service (Canada)
  • Bearskin Lake Air Service (Canada)
  • Patricia Air Transport (Canada)
  • Tropical Air Service ( Barbados)

The only known accident with a Sauders ST -27 occurred on 25 August 1984 at the Saint John Airport in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada with a machine of the Labrador Airways: The chassis of the C- FCNT collapsed during landing. None of the 8 passengers / crew members were killed. The aircraft, however, had to be written off as a total loss.

On February 29, 1976 Saunders ST -27 ACES was hijacked by a man. He demanded $ 300,000 ransom. In the money transfer at the airport of Medellin he was shot.

In August 1988, the last ST- 27 were decommissioned. It was here at the C- FXOK, CF - CNX, CF - FZP, CF JFH, C- FHMQ and the C- FLOL City Express.

Probably the last remaining ST -27 is in the Canadian Bush Plane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. It is a gift that Voyageur Airways has made the museum in 1994.

The prototype of the ST -28 still in Gimli stands on a site of the Western Canada Aviation Museum, but it is in a more than sorry state.

Specifications

  • Civilian aircraft type
Gimli (Manitoba)
711065
de