AvCraft Aviation

AvCraft Aviation was a U.S. based manufacturing, completion and product support company for the Fairchild Dornier 328 turboprop and 328JET.

Avcraft purchased production of the 328JET from the receivers of Fairchild Dornier GmbH in December 2002 following the European company's demise. The final transfers of the type and production certificates were completed in the third quarter of 2003.

The company intended to restart 328Jet production in Germany] during 2004 and was bringing the production of its wing, formerly outsourced, in-house.

By August 2004, Avcraft had successfully established itself in the regional airline market and was entering the corporate aircraft market, placing previously unsold Dornier product with a wide range of customers. It exhibited at the Farnborough Airshow 2004 and joined major industry associations - its CEO Ben Bartel clearly intending the company to become a permanent feature of the regional aircraft manufacturing sector.

In March, 2005, the company went into administration citing a lack of cash caused, they said, by an airline failing to accept delivery of completed aircraft. In July, 2005, Bartel was arrested in Germany following allegations of tax fraud.

Sales of the 328 continued into September 2005 as the company's administrator sought to find a buyer for the enterprise, saying that it could sustain liquidity until 2006. Future production of other Dornier designs remains in doubt.

References