BeechJet 400

The Beechjet 400 originally debuted in the summer of 1986. The previous iteration of the aircraft, popularly used as a charter jet, was the Mitsubishi MU-300-10 Diamond II. More precisely, the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation acquired the design and manufacturing rights of the Mitsubishi MU-300-10 Diamond II, re-designating the civilian jetliner the Beechjet 400.

Until the release of the Beechjet 400A in 1990, there were a total of 54 units produced. 11 MU-300-10 Diamond II's were also produced during the same time period.

The Beechjet 400 featured a list of impressive specifications for its time. The jet was more than capable of flying at altitudes in excess of 35,000 feet. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 turbofans, the Beechjet 400 would reach airspeeds of 264 to 320 knots maximum in optimal flight conditions.

Other specifications included a maximum takeoff weight of 15, 780 pounds. An aft cabin held a maximum baggage weight of 400 pounds. And the Beechjet 400 featured three fuel tanks, two wing tanks and one aft fuselage tank.

When in flight, the charter jet could quite comfortably accommodate a crew of two men and a maximum of seven passengers safely, according to documents certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In fact, the vast majority of jets were used as business/executive charter airplanes, some still in service to this day in private hangars.

The Beechjet 400 preceded the Beechjet 400A in name only. The later Beechjet 400 models included improved cabin amenities and interior space as well as the ability to accommodate a higher maximum takeoff and baggage weight.

Today, refurbished Beechjet 400s can still fetch a hefty price on the charter jet market. Some of the better maintained aircrafts have been priced as high as $1,500,000 in some instances.

Beech Jet 400 Interior

Beech Jet 400 Layout