The Dassault Falcon 900, commonly abbreviated as the F900,[2] is a French-built corporate trijet aircraft made by Dassault Aviation.
Development
A Falcon 900EX during a flyby
The Falcon 900 is a development of the Falcon 50, itself a development of the earlier Falcon 20. The Falcon 900 design incorporates composite materials.
Other models include the Falcon 900-B, featuring an increased range, and the Falcon 900EX featuring other improvements in engines and range and an all-glass flight deck. The Falcon 900C is a companion to the Falcon 900EX and replaces the Falcon 900B. Later versions are the Falcon 900EX EASy and the Falcon 900DX. At EBACE 2008, Dassault announced another development of the 900 series: the Falcon 900LX,[3] incorporating high mach blended winglets designed by Aviation Partners Inc.
Announced in 1984. Original production. Powered by three 20 kN (4,500 lbf) Garrett TFE731-5AR-1C turbofan engines.[5] It was certified in 1986 by French and U.S. aviation authorities.
Falcon 900 MSA
Maritime patrol version for Japan Coast Guard. This variant is equipped with search radar and a hatch for dropping rescue stores.[6]
Falcon 900B
Revised production version from 1991.[6] Powered by 21.13 kN (4,750 lbf) TFE731-5BR-1C engines.[7]
Long range version, with 22.24 kN (5,000 lbf) engines. This variant features TFE731-60 engines, with a range of 4,500 nmi (8,334 km; 5,179 mi). Avionics by (Honeywell Primus). It entered service in 1996.[7]
Falcon 900EX EASy
Long range version produced from 2004 to 2009. Fitted with Honeywell/Dassault Primus Epic EASy avionics. TFE731-60 engines.[8]
Falcon 900DX
Shorter-range production type. TFE731-60 engines.[9]
Falcon 900LX
Current production variant of EX fitted with blended winglets. Range of 4,750 nmi (8,797 km; 5,466 mi).[10]
On 14 September 1999 a Falcon 900B operating for the Greek Government by Olympic Airways, and registered SX-ECH, was descending to land at Bucharest, Romania, when the autopilot disengaged and several pilot-induced oscillations occurred. The impact of unfastened passengers with the cabin and aircraft furniture resulted in fatal injuries to seven passengers, serious injuries to two and minor to another two. Among the victims was Giannos Kranidiotis, then deputy foreign minister for Greece.[19]
On 13 February 2021 a Falcon 900EX corporate jet (N823RC) experienced a landing gear collapse after an aborted takeoff at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, California. Although the airplane sustained significant damage, all five occupants on board escaped without injuries. The flight crew explained that during the takeoff attempt, the captain applied back pressure to the control yoke, but the nose failed to rotate to a takeoff position. After multiple attempts, the captain decided to reject the takeoff by reducing thrust and applying maximum brakes. As a result, the aircraft overshot the runway and the landing gear collapsed upon reaching a gravel pad. The NTSB investigation revealed that the captain did not possess a valid pilot certificate due to an emergency revocation by the FAA two years earlier. This revocation occurred because the captain had falsified logbook entries and records for pilot proficiency checks, competency checks, and training events while serving as a check pilot for a Part 135 operator.[20]
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