TheEmbraer EMB 120 Brasilia is a twin-turboprop 30-passengercommuter airliner designed and manufactured by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturerEmbraer.
The EMB 120 began development in 1974. While initially conceived as a modular series of aircraft, theFamily 12X, referred to as theAraguaia, was intended to achieve a high level of commonality with theEMB 121 Xingu. However, the aircraft was redesigned and relaunched with theBrasilia name scheme during 1979. The redesign, which drew on operator feedback, reduced the seating capacity somewhat while removing commonality with the EMB 121. Its size, speed, and ceiling enabled faster and more direct services to be flown in comparison to similar aircraft. The EMB 120 features a circular cross-section fuselage, low-mounted straight wings, and aT-tail.
On 27 July 1983, the prototype performed itsmaiden flight. During October 1985, the first EMB 120 entered service withAtlantic Southeast Airlines; it quickly entered service with numerousregional airlines, particularly those in the lucrative US market. While the majority of sales were made to civilian operators, a few military customers were also garnered for the type; a specialisedVIP transport version, theVC-97, was operated by theBrazilian Air Force. Numerous models were developed to fulfil differing roles and requirements; these included the flexibleEMB120 Convertible and the extended rangeEMB120ER. In 2001, production of the EMB 120 was terminated; it was the last turboprop-powered airliner produced by Embraer.
The cockpit of an EMB 120 (non-glass cockpit)Three-abreast cabin
Following the success of theEMB 110 Bandeirante, Embraer began developing its first transport category airliner in 1974. At one point, this culminated in theFamily 12X, which comprised three models with a modular design concept:EMB 120 Araguaia,EMB 123 Tapajós andEMB 121 Xingu.[3] The original concept for the EMB 120 would have been a relatively straightforward stretch of the EMB 121, facilitating a high degree of commonality between the two types. However, the EMB 121 would be the sole 12X model that was actually produced in its original form; the EMB 120 would be redesigned during 1979, disposing of theAraguaia name at the same time.[3]
At the official launching of the project, held in 1979, the nameBrasilia was first applied to the EMB 120.[3] Reportedly, the concept had been heavily revised on the basis of suggestions that had been gathered from prospective operators attendingCommuter Airline Association of America (CAAA) convention, and the renaming was to reflect the level of alteration to the EMB 120. Being a completely new aircraft, it was no longer related to the 12X family, and had effectively no parts in common with the EMB 121 Xingu. Furthermore, the capacity was revised downwards from 30 to 24 seats. It had originally been designed to be powered by a pair ofPratt & Whitney Canada PW115turboprop engine, which was capable of 1,500 shp, the aircraft was subsequently redesigned to make use of more powerfulPW118 engines, which produced up to 1,892 shp.[4][3]
In terms of its basic configuration, the EMB 120 features a circular cross-section fuselage, low-mounted straight wings and has aT-tail.[3] The fuselage is of semi-monocoque design, its skin being composed of an aluminiumalloy. The wing structure comprises a single three-spar design that is linked to the frames of the lower side of the fuselage, while the nose cone, dorsal fin and leading edges of the wing and tailplane primarily comprise aKevlar-reinforced glass fibre.[3] The EMB 120 is equipped with retractabletricycle landing gear, which is actuatedhydraulically. It is fitted withGoodrich-supplied wheels,oleo-pneumaticshock absorbers, a Hydro Aireanti-skid system, and eithercarbon orsteel brakes.[3]
On 27 July 1983, the PW115-powered EMB 120 prototype performed itsmaiden flight.[3] The type was able to rapidly attract interest from numerousregional airlines, particularly those based in the United States. Its size, speed, and ceiling enable faster and more direct services to be flown around the US and Europe in comparison to similar aircraft. During October 1985, the first aircraft entered service withAtlantic Southeast Airlines.[3]
Numerous models would be developed to suit different operational circumstances; theEMB120RT featured a reduced take off weight, while theEMB120 cargo freighter had an elevated payload capacity of 4,000 kg; theEMB120 Combi andEMB120 Convertible emphasised flexible operations.[3] During 1993, the first deliveries of theEMB120ER, an extended range model, took place; it was thereafter adopted as the standard production model. Furthermore, hot-and-high versions of these models were commonly equipped with PW118A engines that retain their power ratings at a higher altitude.[3] TheEMB120ER Advanced incorporates a range of external and interior improvements in comparison to most other models. TheEMB 120RT could be upgraded to theEMB 120 ER; older aircraft were retrofitted to this standard via a Service Bulletin.[5]
During 2001, production of the EMB 120 was terminated. As of 2021, Embraer has not manufactured a turboprop-powered successor, although company executives have occasionally hinted at there being interest in doing so at some point.[6]
The EMB 120 has also proven itself to be popular amongst African operators. One of the biggest operators in the region was the charter operatorSahara African Aviation, which had flown as many as nine EMB 120ERs.[citation needed] Into the 2020s, numerous airlines have opted to retain a handful of examples in their active fleet. It has been commonly contrasted against the ubiquitousDouglas DC-3, often being used as a more modern substitute for the aging classic and possessing roughly double the speed.[citation needed]
Several military operators also procured the type, such as theAngolan Air Force, which received new-build aircraft during 2007.[7] A specialisedVIP transport version, theVC-97, was produced and procured by theBrazilian Air Force.[citation needed]
As of July 2018, 105 Brasilias were in airline service: 45 in North/South America, 26 in Africa, 14 in Europe and 20 in Asia-Pacific, with major operators:[9][needs update]
On 19 September 1986, anAtlantic Southeast Airlines EMB 120RT (N219AS) struck a mountain near Mantiqueira, Brazil while being delivered to Atlantic Southeast, killing all five on board.[14]
On 11 September 1991,Continental Express Flight 2574 broke up in flight and crashed at Eagle Lake, Texas, killing all 14 passengers and crew members onboard. The NTSB determined that missing screws on the horizontal stabilizer led to part of it detaching from the aircraft.[17]
On 21 August 1995, one of the blades onAtlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529'snumber-one propeller sheared off, partly tearing the left engine from its mount and increasing drag on the left side. It crashed in a field nearCarrollton,Georgia. Of the twenty-nine people on board, ten of them died (one casualty was from a heart attack nearly eight weeks after the accident).
On 9 January 1997,Comair Flight 3272 crashed inMonroe, Michigan. All of the 29 passengers and crew died. The probable cause was in-flight icing.
On 21 May 1997,SkyWest Airlines Flight 724, an EMB 120 (N198SW), experienced a total loss of engine power to the right engine and associated engine fire, followed by a total loss of all airplane hydraulic systems, after takeoff fromSan Diego International-Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The two pilots, one flight attendant, and 14 passengers were not injured. The flight was destined for Los Angeles, California. It diverted toNAS Miramar, San Diego, where it landed at 14:27 hrs.
On 21 October 1998, aCapital Táxi Aéreo EMB 120RT Brasilia registration PT-WKH crashed due to pilot error during final approach toPinto Martins International Airport. The two-man crew and one passenger on board were killed, along with one person on the ground. Seven more people were injured.[18]
On 30 August 2002,Rico Linhas Aéreas Flight 4823 operated by an EMB 120ER Brasília (registration PT-WRQ), en route fromCruzeiro do Sul andTarauacá toRio Branco crashed on approach to Rio Branco during a rainstorm, 1,5 km short of the runway. Of the 31 passengers and crew aboard, 23 died.[19]
On 14 May 2004,Rico Linhas Aéreas Flight 4815 operated by an EMB 120ER Brasília (registration PT-WRO), en route fromSão Paulo de Olivença andTefé toManaus, crashed in the forest about 18 nmi (33 km; 21 mi) from Manaus. All 33 passengers and crew died in the deadliest accident involving the EMB 120.[20]
On 26 May 2007, Skywest Airlines Flight 5741 nearlycollided with Republic Airways Flight 4912, aEmbraer E-170, at the intersection of runway 01L and 28R atSan Francisco International Airport. All 27 people on board both aircraft survived.
On 22 March 2010, anAirnorth EMB 120 (VH-ANB) took off approximately 10.10am (ACST) fromDarwin International Airport on a routine simulated engine-failure training exercise known as aV1 cut when it apparently banked sharply to the left and crashed into the nearby bushland atRAAF Base Darwin.[21] The two pilots on board were killed instantly.[22][23][24][25]
On 14 September 2011,Angolan Air Force EMB 120ERT-500 crashed while attempting to take off from Huambo Airport, killing 17 of 23 people on board.[26]
On 12 October 2011, aNationale Regionale Transport EMB 120, registered as ZS-PYO, performing a charter flight fromLibreville toPort Gentil (Gabon) overran runway 21 and came to a stop with the nose gear intact, both main gear struts bent backwards causing the engines to "pitch down" together with the wings. A few passengers sustained minor injuries, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was written off.[27][28]
On 27 November 2012, anInter Îles Air EMB 120ER Brasilia (registration number D6-HUA) was underway fromMoroni toAnjouan (both inComoros Islands) on a charter flight with 25 passengers and 4 crew, when after taking off from Moroni'sPrince Said Ibrahim International Airport it lost height, and while attempting to return to the airport,waterlanded 200 m (660 ft) off the coast, about 5 km north of the airport. Local fishermen rescued everybody on board. There were only minor injuries, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was written off.[29][30]
On 3 October 2013,Associated Aviation Flight 361, an EMB 120RT (5N-BJY), was involved in a crash on takeoff from Lagos Airport bound for Akure. The aircraft was on a charter flight taking the body of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr.Olusegun Agagu, for burial. There were at least 16 reported fatalities amongst passengers travelling in the burial party. Two people who survived the crash died later in hospital.[31][32]
On 12 October 2017, anAir Guicango EMB-120 (D2-FDO) crashed en route from Dundo to Luanda (both inAngola). Crew declared engine failure and fire prior to losing radio contact. The wreckage was located the following day with no survivors.[33]
On 4 May 2020, anAfrican Express Airways EMB 120 (5Y-AXO), operating a flight to Baidoa from Mogadishu, was reportedlyshot down by a rocket in Somalia. This aircraft was carrying medical aids to fightCOVID-19. A total of six people on board died after crash landing near Bardale.[34][35]
On 11 July 2023, a Halla Airlines EMB-120 (6O-AAD), operating a domestic flight from Garowe to Mogadishu, crashed into a fence atAden Adde International Airport, while attempting to land on runway 05, after suffering a left landing gear collapse and veering off the runway. All 34 people onboard survived.[36][37] Preliminary data indicated that the pilots lost control of the aircraft after landing due to strong tailwinds andwind shear which caused the left gear to collapse.[38]
PT-ZBA 120001 - Brasília's first prototype, preserved at the Brazilian Airspace Memorial at the entrance of São José dos Campos airport and Embraer plant.[39]
Embraer, S.A., ed. (1987).EMB120 AFM (AFM-120/813 Revision 92 14/11/2019). AV. BRIGADEIRO FARIA LIMA, 2.170 – SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS - SÃO PAULO - BRASIL: Embraer S.A.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
Embraer, S.A., ed. (1985).EMB120 OM (OM-120BAS/625 Revision 48 20/12/2012). AV. BRIGADEIRO FARIA LIMA, 2.170 – SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS - SÃO PAULO - BRASIL: Embraer S.A.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
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