Originally Posted by
Bosi72
Dhc-6-400 technical brochure states endurance 7hr 10min on main tanks.
N153QS was in the air for 5hr 33min, minus ~15mins when they radioed no fuel.
Would 5hr endurance be normal for 140% mtow, or could missing 2hrs be the fuel leak, or aux pump pumping fuel in reverse out of mains ?
Minimum fuel based on max range data would be about 1124 gallons. probably more, but that is a minimum. This assumes the bladders are holding 750 gallons, standard fuel tanks are 375 gallons.
Assuming an empty weight of 7700 lbs, with that amount of fuel on board the aircraft would weigh 15,300 lbs or 122% MTOW before pilots and other equipment, less the seats which (I hope) were removed and shipped.
I don't find anything that says the maximum range time aloft is 7 hours 10 min. I see max range of 763 miles. Assuming a speed of 160 kts, that leads to 4.77 hrs aloft. 45 minute reserve, gets you to 5.52 hours.
5 hrs 33 min seems pretty close to those numbers.
I have no experience with this aircraft.