The Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander is a twin-engine high-wing light
utility transport aircraft for up to nine passengers. Britten-Norman
Ltd. started in 1963 with the development of the BN-2, a 10 seat STOL
aircraft. The prototype BN-2, G-ATCT s/n 01, flew on 13 June 1965,
powered by two 210 hp Lycoming IO-360 engines. A production line for the BN-2
was set up at the Britten-Norman factory at Bembridge, Isle of Wight. The first production BN-2
Islander, G-ATWU s/n 2, flew on 20 August 1966. Deliveries of the
production model started on 13 August 1967, after UK CAA certification
was awarded on 10 August 1967. The first production BN-2 Islanders were
powered by two 260 hp Lycoming IO-540 engines. By 1968, demand for the Islander had outstripped
the capacity of the Bembridge factory. A contract was signed with the Romanian IRMA to build "green"
Islanders and deliver them to the UK for finishing. The BN-2 Islander was
developed further and in 1970, the BN-2 was replaced in production by
the improved BN-2A Islander. Despite the succes of the Islander, Britten Norman was
in grave financial difficulty by the end of 1970. In October 1971, the new company Britten-Norman (Bembridge) Ltd. was set up.
In August 1972, Britten-Norman (Bembridge) Ltd was sold to the Fairey Group and a new holding company, Fairey Britten Norman Ltd.
was established. Most of the Islander and Trilander production was moved to the Fairey S.A. factory in Gosselies, Belgium.
Islanders and Trislanders were produced in Romania, then shipped to Gosselies in Belgium for finishing and later flow to Bembridge in the UK for the
final flight certification. In 1977, the Fairey Group went in deep financial difficulties.
As a result, production slowed down and Britten-Norman got a new owner and became Pilatus Britten Norman Ltd. in July 1978. Production of the
Islanders returned to Bembridge. In July 1998, the company was renamed Britten-Norman Ltd., and from May 2000 it
became part of the B-N Group Limited. Over 1250 BN-2 aircraft are delivered since 1967, including production in the UK and Romania and
military Defenders.
On 19 August 1977, the 1967-built Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander G-AVRC was seen at Groningen Airport Eelde (EHGG/GRQ).
the life
cycle of the airframe is, as far as it could be determined, recorded in detail in the table below:
date
registration
details
1967
constructed as BN-2 Islander s/n 8 by Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge Airport, Isle of Wight
7 July 1967
G-ARVC
registered G-AVRC by Britten-Norman Limited
9 October 1967
G-51-1
on 9 October 1967, the BN-2 Islander was flown first with test-registration G-51-1
6 November 1967
G-AVRC
on 6 November 1967, registration G-AVRC was cancelled as exported to Italy
11 December 1967
I-TRAM
on 11 December 1967, the Islander was registered I-TRAM and delivered to Aertirrena, Florence
April 1968
I-TRAM
in April 1968, BN-2 Islander I-TRAM was seen at the ILA Hannover
1970
I-TRAM
in 1970, BN-2 Islander I-TRAM returned to the UK and was stored at Ford airfield
1971
during 1971, the aircraft was modified by F.G. Miles Aviation to BN-2A Islander
August 1971
OO-ARI
in August 1971, registration OO-ARI was reserved for the BN-2A by Publi-Air, Brussels
22 October 1971
OO-ARI
on 22 October 1971, the Islander was flown as OO-ARI from Shoreham to Brussels. Finally, registration OO-ARI was not taken up for this BN-2A Islander
29 October 1971
OO-ARI
registration OO-ARI was assigned to the BN-2A Islander s/n 9 G-AVUB, that on 29 October 1971 was flown from Ford to Shoreham as G-4-8, prior delivery to Publi-Air
3 November 1971
OO-AST
at Brussels the marks were changed into OO-AST and on 3 November 1971, the aircraft was registered OO-AST with Publi-Air, Brussels.
The BN-2A was named 'Astrid' and was operated on behalf of Sabena.
12 May 1975
OO-AST
on 12 May 1975, registration OO-AST was cancelled and the aircraft returned to the UK
13 May 1975
G-AVRC
on 13 May 1975, the BN-2A Islander was restored as G-AVRC, this time with Fairey Britten-Norman Air Services, Bembridge
1975
TF-REJ
registration TF-REJ was reserved by Vaengir but not taken up
1975
G-AVRC
still registered G-AVRC with Fairey Britten-Norman Air Services: at Bembridge the aircraft was modified to the BN-2A-26 standard
1975
TF-REJ
registration TF-REJ was once again reserved by Vaengir but not taken up
6 June 1978
G-AVRC
On 6 June 1978, registration G-ARVC was cancelled as exported to the US.
7 June 1978
N28BN
on 7 June 1978, the Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander was regIstered N28BN in the USA with
Air Investments, Ft. Lauderdale, and delivered to Ft. Lauderdale in the same yellow/white colors as the G-AVRC. Islander N28BN was leased first to Lucaya
Beach Air Service, Freeport, Bahamas
May 1981
N28BN
in May 1981, the N28BN was leased to Coastal Air Transport and based
at the U.S. Virgin Islands
January 1987
N28BN
in January 1987, the Islander was leased to LAPSA
22 May 1992
N28BN
on 22 May 1992, BN-2A-26 Islander N28BN was registered with a privat owner
17 August 1994
N28BN
on 17 August 1994, Islander N28BN was transferred to a privat owner in Santo Domingo, where
the aircraft entered service with Caribair
17 January 1995
N28BN
on 17 January 1995, registration N28BN was cancelled as exported to the Domincan Republic
January 1995
HI-653
the BN-2A-26 Islander was registered HI-653, as before operated by Caribair S.A.
1995-2008
HI-653CA
over the yeards BN-2A-26 Islander HI-653 was seen in service with Caribair S.A. with registration HI-653CA
7 February 2008
HI-653
on 7 February 2008, Caribair' Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander HI-653 was damaged beyond repair in
a forced landing in a sugarcane field near El Prado due to engine troubles caused by lack of fuel on the way to La Romana Airport (the alternate airport) while on
route to Punta Cana International Airport, Dominican Republic. The wreckage of the plane has since been moved to the Las Américas Boneyard
