Boeing 747-400

Boeing launched the 747-400 in October 1985 and the first development aircraft first flew on April 29 1988. US certification was awarded in January 1989.

The 747-400 externally resembles the -300, but it is a significantly improved aircraft. Changes include a new, two crew digital flight deck replaced the analog systems of the 747 classic with digital avionics, with six large CRT displays, reducing the number of lights, gauges and switches from 971 to 365. Programmable displays and simpler cockpit procedures also reduced the workload in the cockpit.

An increased span wing with winglets (the -400 was the first airliner to introduce winglets), new engines, recon toured wing/fuselage fairing, a new interior, lower basic but increased max takeoff weights, and greater range.

The 747-400 is currently the best-selling member of the 747 family.

Boeing 747-400 variants:

• Boeing 747-400 Passenger aircraft.
• Boeing 747-400D Domestic passenger aircraft for high-capacity transport on short routes no winglets.
• Boeing 747-400M Combi passenger, cargo with left-side main-deck cargo door aft of the wing.
• Boeing 747-400F Freighter airplane it has a nose cargo door and a optional main-deck side cargo door.
• Boeing 747-400ER Passenger aircraft is an increased gross weight derivative of the 747-400. The 747-400ER can be equipped with up to two fuel tanks in the forward lower cargo compartment.
• Boeing 747-400FER is similar to the 747-400F, except for the increased gross weight capability which allows it to carry more cargo weight. This airplane is not fitted with the cargo compartment fuel tanks.
• Boeing YAL-1A Airborne Laser for the USAF.
• Boeing 747-400LCF The Large Cargo Freighter’s unique design will feature an entire aft fuselage that swings open for loading. Modifications to enlarge the upper fuselage will increase the volume of the main cargo deck to 1.845 m, 300 percent more capacity than the 747-400 Freighter, the largest freighter in regularly scheduled service. Two Large Cargo Freighters will be needed to support initial 787 production. Two 747-400s that will be converted to the new configuration were purchased by Boeing in 2004. Boeing continues looking for a third airplane that will enter service later. Certification of the first Large Cargo Freighter will occur in 2006, with the airplane returning to service in 2007 to support final assembly of the first 787 Dreamliner.

* Generally similar to the Boeing 747-400 except in the following particulars.

* Generally similar to the Boeing 747-400 except in the following particulars.

* Generally similar to the Boeing 747-400 except in the following particulars.

* Generally similar to the Boeing 747-400 except in the following particulars.

3 Boeing 747-400 written-off by accidents:

04nov1993 B-165 Boeing 747-409 China Airlines After touch-down at Hong Kong-Kai Tak International Airport, Hong Kong. The 747-400 skidded off the wet runway and ended up in shallow water of Hung Hom Bay. 0 fatalities / 396 on board.

05aug1998 HL7496 Boeing 747-4B5 Korean Air On landing at ,Seoul-Kimpo International Airport, South-Korea, Bad weather, including heavy rainfall, the 747 bounced and slid 100 meters off the runway before coming to a stop in a grassy area on the edge of a platform. 0 fatalities / 395 on board.

31oct2000 9V-SPK Boeing 747-412 Singapore Airlines Weather conditions were very poor because of typhoon ‘Xiang Sane’ at Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek Airport, Taiwan. The crew had been cleared for a runway 05L departure because runway 05R was closed because of construction work. The crew choose the wrong runway, and on takeoff, 3.5 seconds after V1, the aircraft hit concrete barriers, excavators and other equipment on the runway. The plane crashed back onto the runway, breaking up and bursting into flames while sliding down the runway and crashing into other objects related to work being done on runway 05R. 83 fatalities / 179 on board.