Comp Air 9

Comp Air 9
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Comp Air
Status In production (2012)

The Comp Air 9 is a turboprop, high-wing, cantilever monoplane with tricycle landing gear produced as a kit for amateur construction by Comp Air.[1][2]

Design and development

The aircraft is built from carbon fiber and is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop powerplant of 1,000 hp (746 kW) or similar engine.[2][3]

Operational history

In 2011 there was one Comp Air 9 reported as having been completed. By August 2022, the US Federal Aviation Administration reported none registered. The factory prototype had been registered in 2008 and de-registered in 2018 as its registry had expired and was not renewed. There is at least one example flying in Brazil using the PR-ZJM registration.[3][4]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 19 March 2016, a Comp Air 9 owned by Brazilian entrepreneur and former Vale SA CEO Roger Agnelli crashed shortly after takeoff from Campo de Marte Airport, São Paulo, and exploded on impact, killing all seven on board, including Agnelli and injuring one bystander on the ground. During the investigation of the crash, it was found that during the assembly process of the PR-ZRA, changes were incorporated to the original design that directly affected the take-off performance of the aircraft.[5][6][7]

Specifications (typical Comp Air 9)

Data from Bayerl and Comp Air[3][8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: five
  • Length: 38 ft (12 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft (13 m)
  • Wing area: 260 sq ft (24 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 6:1
  • Empty weight: 4,300 lb (1,950 kg)
  • Gross weight: 7,700 lb (3,493 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 300 U.S. gallons (1,100 L; 250 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell TPE331-10 or -12 turboprop aircraft engine, 1,000 hp (750 kW)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed Hartzell constant speed, reversible propeller

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 250 kn (290 mph, 460 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 58 kn (67 mph, 107 km/h)
  • Range: 1,500 nmi (1,700 mi, 2,800 km)
  • g limits: +4.3/-1.5
  • Rate of climb: 2,800 ft/min (14 m/s) at gross weight
  • Wing loading: 29 lb/sq ft (140 kg/m2)

References

  1. ^ Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. ^ a b Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, pages 92. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ a b c Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 91. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (1 September 2022). "N-Number Inquiry Results for N940RD". Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Roger Agnelli, banker who built Vale into mining giant, 'dies in Brazil plane crash'". The Guardian. Reuters. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  6. ^ Niles, Russs (20 March 2016). "Kit Crash Kills Seven". AVweb. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  7. ^ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 185558". aviation-safety.net. 24 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  8. ^ Comp Air. "Comp Air 9 Specifications". Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2012.


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