The Spectrum S-33 Independence is a
very light jet
A very light jet (VLJ), entry-level jet or personal jet, previously known as a microjet, is a category of small business jets seating four to eight people. VLJs are considered the lightest business jets and are approved for single-pilot operati ...
designed and built by
Spectrum Aeronautical
Spectrum Aeronautical is a business jet developer based in Carlsbad, California with its development center located in Spanish Fork, Utah.
An engine failure while flying a single-engine Stinson Voyager over the jungles of Honduras in 1958 nearly ...
using a carbon fiber construction process that makes the airplane weigh about two thirds as much as a comparably sized aluminum-frame airplane.
The aircraft is designed to cruise at 45,000 ft. at speeds up to 415 knots (Mach 0.72) and fly as far as 2000 nm (3700 km) while using about half the fuel of comparably sized aluminum-framed business aircraft. FAA and JAA Type Certifications of the S-33 Independence were expected to be completed in 2009, but were not. The company has provided no press releases to explain the long delay in gaining certification.
The aircraft is reported to be able to accommodate 5–6 passenger seats, a full-sized private lavatory, and will have a maximum take-off weight of 7,300 lb., with a range of over 2,000 miles.
The retail sales price of the aircraft, which is equipped with
Williams FJ-33 engines is supposed to be US-$3.95 million. The aircraft is to be released about 12 months after the bigger
S-40 "Freedom". In May 2011 Spectrum president Austin Blue said, "We are still trying to get the programmes advancing, but it is not easy".
Accident
The only completed S-33, registration N322LA, crashed in a test flight July 25, 2006 in
Spanish Fork, Utah
Spanish Fork is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2020 census reported a population of 42,602. Spanish Fork, Utah is the 20th largest city in Utah based on official ...
, killing the two test pilots aboard, Glenn Maben and Nathan Forrest. The aircraft rolled right immediately after takeoff, reaching a 90 degree angle before the wingtip struck the ground. The preliminary
NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incid ...
report revealed that the control linkage had been connected backwards during maintenance after the previous flight, resulting in opposite control output (a left roll input on the control stick resulting in the aircraft rolling right).
Specifications
See also
*
Spectrum S-40 Freedom
The Spectrum S-40 Freedom was a business jet developed by Spectrum Aeronautical. The aircraft was first announced at the 2006 NBAA Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Design and development
The S-40 is expected to be classified as a very light jet, ...
References
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External links
Spectrum Aeronautical
S-33
2000s United States business aircraft
Very light jets
Twinjets
Aircraft first flown in 2006