The prototype first flew in 1982, 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.
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. The power plants are two locally made Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprops with Hartzellpropellers. The Y-12 has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700kg (12,600lb) 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. 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. In early 1995, it is reported overseas sales totaled 61 aircraft to 13 countries including Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal and Peru.
In 1999, HAMC was reorganised into Hafei Aviation Industry (HAI).
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 29 December 2010, received CAAC type certification on 10 December 2015, FAA type certification on 22 February 2016, and type certification from the EASA on 13 July 2023. In 2015, Kenmore Air announced that they would begin development of floats for the Y-12 for FAA certification. The Y-12 completed the FAA evaluation flight tests for its automatic flight control system on 30 June 2018, with its performance meeting the requirements, said AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Company Ltd (AVIC HAFEI).
Harbin Y-12 (II) at China Aviation Museum, BeijingHarbin Y-12EHarbin 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 5,000kg.
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.
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 19.2m (63ft)) and increased max. takeoff weight to 5,700kg. 18-19 passengers. This version is the first aircraft in the series certified by the FAA in 1995.
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.
Y-12F: The latest development with almost everything redesigned: wider fuselage, new wings, retractable landing gear and more powerful PT6A-65B engines. The Y-12F has higher cruise speed, longer range and can accommodate 19 passengers or 3x LD3 containers. Design started in April 2005 and the maiden flight was on 29 December 2010. CAAC type certification was received on 10 December 2015 and FAA certification on 22 February 2016. The Y-12F passed flight tests for its automatic flight control system by the FAA on 30 June 2018. 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 are received by 2000 but production did not proceed.
Nepal Airlines - 4 Delivered in 2012. All 4 grounded in 2020 due to sub-standard performance and high operating costs.
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.
On 21 June 1996, a China Flying Dragon Aviation Y-12-II, registration B-3822, crashed into a 100m (330ft) 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.
On 26 May 1998, a MIAT Mongolian Airlines Y-12-II, registration JU-1017, crashed into a 10,800ft (3,300m) 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.
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.
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.
On 12 July 2012, a Y-12-II of the Mauritanian Air Force crashed while transporting gold, killing all 7 occupants.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aircraft on display
Colombia
Y-12E on static display at the History Museum of the Armed Forces of Colombia, Tocancipá.
Specifications (Y-12 (II))
Data fromBrassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000, Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01
↑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.
↑Jackson, Paul, ed. (2000). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01 (91sted.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. pp.71–72. ISBN978-0710620118.
Bibliography
Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 182, No. 5321, 11–17 December 2012, pp.40–64. ISSN0015-3710.
Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 190, No. 5566, 6–12 December 2016, pp.22–53. ISSN0015-3710.
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