Harbin Y-12

The Harbin Y-12 (Chinese: 运-12; pinyin: Yùn-12) 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.

Y-12
Harbin Y-12 II of the Iranian IRGC
General information
Type	Twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Harbin Aircraft Industry Group
Status	Active, In production
Primary user	People's Liberation Army Air Force
History
Manufactured	1985–present
First flight	14 July 1982
Developed from	Harbin Y-11

Design and development

The Y-12 started as a development of the Harbin Y-11 airframe called Y-11T in 1980.^[1] 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.^[1]

The prototype first flew in 1982,^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[4] 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.^{[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.^[4][2] 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.^[4] In early 1995, it is reported overseas sales totaled 61 aircraft to 13 countries including Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal and Peru.^[4]

In 1999, HAMC was reorganised into Hafei Aviation Industry (HAI).^[2]

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,^[5] received CAAC type certification on December 10, 2015, FAA type certification on February 22, 2016,^[6] and EASA type certification on July 13, 2023.^[7] In 2015, Kenmore Air announced that they would begin development of floats for the Y-12 for FAA certification.^[8] 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).^[9]

Variants

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

Harbin Y-12E

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.^[2]
• 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.^[2]
• 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.^[2] This version is the first aircraft in the series certified by the FAA in 1995.^[10]
• 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.^[11]
• Y-12F: The latest development with almost everything redesigned: wider fuselage, new wings, retractable landing gear and more powerful PT6A-65B engines.^[12] The Y-12F has higher cruise speed, longer range and can accommodate 19 passengers or 3x LD3 containers.^[13] Design started in April 2005 and the maiden flight was on 29 December 2010.^[14] CAAC type certification was received on 10 December 2015 and FAA certification on 22 February 2016.^[6] The Y-12F passed flight tests for its automatic flight control system by the FAA on 30 June 2018.^[9] 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.

Operators

Military operators

Namibian Air Force Harbin Y-12

 Afghanistan

• Afghan Air Force^[15]

 Cambodia

• Royal Cambodian Air Force^[16]

 China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force - 12 Y-12D operated by the Airborne Corps^[17]

 Djibouti

• Djibouti Air Force - 2 as of December 2016.^[18]

 Eritrea

• Eritrean Air Force^[19]

 Ghana

• Ghana Air Force^[20]

 Guyana

• Guyana Air Force^[20]

Harbin Y-12 II of the Sri Lanka Air Force

 Iran

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force^[21]

 Kenya

• Kenya Air Force^[22] To be replaced by the C-145 Skytruck.^[23]

 Mali

• Mali Air Force – 2^[24]

 Mauritania

• Mauritanian Air Force^[25]

 Myanmar

• Myanmar Air Force - 20 as of 2020.^[26]

 Namibia

• Namibian Air Force^[26]

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force^[27]
• Pakistan Army^[28]

 Peru

• Policía Nacional del Perú^[29]
• Peruvian Air Force^[30]

 Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka Air Force^[31]

 Tanzania

• Tanzanian Air Force^[32]

 Zambia

• Zambian Air Force^[33]

Government operators

 Costa Rica

• Air Vigilance Service (2)

 China

• China Marine Surveillance (3)

 Republic of the Congo

• Ministry of Transport (2)

 Federated States of Micronesia

• Federated States of Micronesia (1)

 Seychelles

• Republic of Seychelles (2)

Civil operators

An Air Vanuatu Harbin Y-12 with revised wingtips

 China

• 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^[34]
• Ying'an Airlines^[34]
• Zhong Fei General Aviation Company

 Colombia

• SATENA (2, 1 on order)^[34]

 Republic of the Congo

• Trans Air Congo (10 on order)

 Democratic Republic of the Congo

• LAC
• Congo Airways - 2 on order as of July 2016.^[34]

 Federated States of Micronesia

• Caroline Islands Air

 Fiji

• Air Fiji^[35]

 Indonesia

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

 Iran

• Pouya Air

 Kiribati

• Air Kiribati

 Malaysia

• Berjaya Air

 Mongolia

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

 Nepal

• Blue Airways (3 on order)
• Flight Care Aviation
• Nepal Airlines - 4 Delivered in 2012.^[36] All 4 grounded in 2020 due to sub-standard performance and high operating costs.^[37]
• Nepal Airways

 Pakistan

• Air Eagle^[38]

 Sri Lanka

• Helitours^[39]

 Tonga

• Lulutai Airlines (1) ^[40]

 Uganda

• Uganda Air Cargo (2)

Accidents and incidents

• 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.^[41]
• 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 100 m (330 ft) 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.^[42]
• 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.^[43]
• 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.^[44]
• On 26 May 1998, a MIAT Mongolian Airlines Y-12-II, registration JU-1017, crashed into a 10,800 ft (3,300 m) 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.^[45]
• 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.^[46]
• 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.^[47]
• 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.^[48]
• On 12 July 2012, a Y-12-II of the Mauritanian Air Force crashed while transporting gold, killing all 7 occupants.^[49]
• 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.^[50]
• 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.^[51]
• 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.^[52]
• 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.^[53]

Specifications (Y-12 (II))

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000,^[54] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01^[55]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 17 max / 1,700 kg (3,748 lb) max payload
• Length: 14.86 m (48 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 17.235 m (56 ft 7 in)
• Height: 5.575 m (18 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 34.27 m² (368.9 sq ft)
• Airfoil: LS(1)-0417
• Empty weight: 2,840 kg (6,261 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,300 kg (11,684 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,616 L (427 US gal; 355 imp gal) / 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) max usable fuel weight
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop engines, 462 kW (620 hp) each
• Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell HC-B3TN-3B/T10173B-3, 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in) diameter constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers (4 and 5 bladed propellers used on some models)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 328 km/h (204 mph, 177 kn) V_MO (maximum operating speed) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
• Cruise speed: 292 km/h (181 mph, 158 kn) (max) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)

250 km/h (160 mph; 130 kn) (economical) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)

• Range: 1,340 km (830 mi, 720 nmi) at econ cruise, 45 min reserves at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
• Endurance: 5 hours 12 minutes at econ cruise
• Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
  

3,000 m (9,800 ft) on one engine

• Rate of climb: 8.1 m/s (1,590 ft/min)
  

1.4 m/s (4.6 ft/s) on one engine

• Wing loading: 145.9 kg/m² (29.9 lb/sq ft)
• Power/mass: 0.106 kW/kg (0.064 hp/lb)
  
• Take-off run: 370 m (1,210 ft)
• Take-off run to 15 m (49 ft): 490 m (1,610 ft)
• Landing run: 340 m (1,120 ft)
• Landing run from 15 m (49 ft): 630 m (2,070 ft)

See also

• Aviation portal

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Antonov An-28
• Britten Norman Trislander
• CASA C-212 Aviocar
• Cessna 408 SkyCourier
• Dornier 228
• De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
• IAI Arava
• GAF Nomad
• LET L-410
• PZL M28
• Shorts SC.7 Skyvan

Related lists

• List of Chinese aircraft
• List of light transport aircraft
• List of civil aircraft

References

Notes

1. Gordon,Yefim & Komissarov, Dmitry. Chinese Aircraft. Hikoki Publications. Manchester. 2008. ISBN 978-1-902109-04-6
2. "HAI Y12 IV Type Acceptance Report" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
3. JWR Taylor 1988, p.38.
4. "FAA breaks new ground with Y-12 approval". Flight Global. 11 Apr 1995. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
5. 霍尼韦尔航空航天 (8 January 2016). "【纪录】运-12F背后的霍尼韦尔力量". CARNOC.com (民航资源网) (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
6. Ge, Lena (25 February 2016). "China-Made Y12F Turboprop Aircraft Gets FAA Type Certification". China Aviation Daily. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
7. "EASA.IM.A.679 - Y12F". EASA. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
8. Stepen Trimble (2 October 2015). "AVIC launches seaplane conversion for Y-12". www.flightglobal.com. Flight International. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
9. 江巍. "China's Y-12 plane passes FAA flight tests for automatic flight control - Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on 2018-07-07. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
10. FAA Y-12 IV and Y-12E Type Certificate Archived 2015-03-22 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 17 August 2013.
11. FAA Y-12 IV and Y-12E Type Certificate Archived 2015-03-22 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 12 November 2009.
12. Francis, Leithen. "Harbin Y-12 turboprop to be bigger" Flight International 20 September 2007 (online version) Archived 31 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 12 November 2009
13. "ok365.com便民导航－最为便捷的上网导航服务". y-12.com.cn. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
14. "Y12F". 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014.
15. "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
16. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 32.
17. IISS 2024, p. 260.
18. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 34.
19. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 35.
20. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 36.
21. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 37.
22. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 39.
23. "Kenya Air Force commissioned newly acquired C-145 Skytruck aircraft".
24. de Cherisey, Erwan (2 October 2017). "Mali receives new aircraft". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
25. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 40.
26. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 41.
27. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 43.
28. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 44.
29. Jackson 2003, p. 82.
30. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 57.
31. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 47.
32. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 48.
33. Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 53.
34. Thisdell and Fafard Flight International 9–15 August 2016, p. 42.
35. "Fiji Aircraft Register | Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF)". caaf.org.fj. 2022-11-18. Registrations DQ-FHC, DQ-FHF. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
36. Xinhua (14 February 2018). "Two new Chinese-made planes delivered to Nepal". Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
37. "Nepal Airlines retires MA-60s, Y12Es". Ch-Aviation. 17 July 2020.
38. "Air Eagle". www.aireagle.pk. Archived from the original on 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
39. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 60.
40. "Stuff".
41. Accident description for RDPL-34117 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
42. Accident description for B-3822 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
43. Accident description for CR851 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
44. Accident description for JU-1020 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
45. Accident description for RDPL-34130 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
46. Accident description for AF-216 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
47. Accident description for 132 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
48. Accident description for B-3841 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 20 January 2013.
49. Harro Ranter (12 July 2012). "ASN Aircraft accident Harbin Yunshuji Y-12-II 5T-MAE Nouakchott Airport (NKC)". aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
50. Accident description for registration unknown at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 5 June 2014.
51. AirForces Monthly, Issue 330
52. "Four air force personnel killed in aircraft crash at Haputale". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
53. "Kenya Air Force Harbin Y-12-II Aircraft Crash-landed At Somalia Airstrip". Fighter Jets World. 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
54. Taylor 1999, p.189
55. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2000). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01 (91st ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. pp. 71–72. ISBN 978-0710620118.

Bibliography

• Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 182, No. 5321, 11–17 December 2012, pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
• Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 190, No. 5566, 6–12 December 2016, pp. 22–53. ISSN 0015-3710.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (2024). Wall, Robert (ed.). The Military Balance 2024 (Report). Routledge. ISBN 9781032780047. ISSN 0459-7222.
• Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, Surry, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
• Taylor, John W R. (ed.). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
• Taylor, Michael J.H. (ed.). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
• Thisdell, Dan and Fafard, Antoine. "World Airliner Census". Flight International. Vol. 190, No. 5550, 9–15 August 2016, pp. 20–43. ISSN 0015-3710.

External links

• Y-12 website