View source for Cessna Citation I

{{short description|Business jet manufactured 1971–1985}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name= Citation I / I/SP
 |image= File:CN Air Cessna 501 Citation I SP.jpg
 |caption= A Citation I/SP
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
 |type= [[Corporate jet]]
 |national origin = [[United States]]
 |manufacturer= [[Cessna]]
 |first flight= September 15, 1969 (FanJet 500)<ref name=Flight2oct1969>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%202901.html |title= CESSNA'S JET AIRBORNE |magazine= Flight International |date= 2 October 1969}}</ref>
 |introduced=
 |retired=
 |status=
 |primary user= 
 |more users= <!--up to three more. please separate with <br/>.-->
 |produced=1971–1985<ref name=Flight12oct2018>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nbaa-business-jet-designs-that-changed-the-industry-452471/ |title= NBAA: Business jet designs that changed the industry |date= 12 Oct 2018 |author= Murdo Morrison |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
 |number built=689,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://support.cessna.com/custconf/pageview?as_id=33345 |title= 500-Series Technical Review |publisher= [[Textron Aviation]] |date= April 28, 2015 |url-status= bot: unknown |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093224/https://support.cessna.com/custconf/pageview?as_id=33345 |archive-date= March 4, 2016 }}</ref> 688 delivered<ref name=Flight12oct2018/>
 |unit cost=$695,000 (1969)<ref name=Flight2oct1969/> ${{inflation|USD|.695|1969|r=2}}M today
 |developed from = 
 |variants with their own articles= [[Cessna Citation II]]
}}
|}

The '''Cessna 500 Citation I''' is a small [[business jet]] produced by [[Cessna]], the basis of the [[Citation family]].
<section begin=summary/><!--development-->The '''Fanjet 500''' prototype was announced in October 1968, first flew on September 15, 1969, and was certified as the '''500 Citation''' on September 9, 1971. It was upgraded in 1976 as the ''Citation I'', and the '''501 Citation I/SP''' single-pilot variant was introduced in 1977. Production ended in 1985 with 689 of all variants produced.
<!--design-->
The [[straight wing]] jet is powered by [[JT15D]] turbofans.<section end=summary/>
The aircraft was developed into the [[Cessna Citation II|Citation II]].

==Development==
[[File:Van der Stoel stapt in vliegtuig - NL-HaNA 2.24.01.05 0 927-6710 WM256 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Netherlands minister [[Max van der Stoel]] boarding in 1975]]

In the early 1960s, the three major American [[general aviation]] aircraft manufacturers—[[Beechcraft]], Cessna and [[Piper Aircraft|Piper]]–faced a competitive challenge in the form of two newly-developed light [[business jet]]s, the [[Learjet 23]] and the [[Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander]], which were much less expensive to buy and operate than previous business jets such as the [[North American Sabreliner]] and [[Hawker Siddeley HS.125]].{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=11}} Previous efforts by Beechcraft and Cessna to market small jets had not met with success: the [[Cessna 407]], a proposed civil version of the [[T-37 Tweet]] jet trainer, had not proceeded past the mockup stage due to insufficient customer interest,<ref name=AOPA2006>{{cite web |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2006/may/pilot/turbine-pilot-(4) |title=Turbine Pilot: VLJ Deja Vu |last=Olcott |first=John W. |date=5 May 2006 |website=aopa.org |publisher=[[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]] |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> while an effort by Beechcraft to market the [[Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris]] in North America had ended with only two aircraft sold.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jerram |first=Mike |date=October 2010 |title=Morane-Saulnier Paris: the very first Very Light Jet |url=http://www.iaopa.eu/mediaServlet/storage/gamag/oct10/p42-45.pdf |magazine=General Aviation |publisher=International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations |access-date=17 April 2020 }}</ref> However, the runaway success of the Learjet caused the two companies—which only manufactured [[piston engine]]d aircraft at the time—to reconsider [[Gas turbine|turbine engine]]d aircraft, and Beechcraft launched two simultaneous efforts: the development of the [[turboprop]]-powered [[Beechcraft King Air|King Air 90]] and an agreement to market the HS.125 in North America.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=12}}

Cessna quickly found that its premium twin piston-engine aircraft were uncompetitive with the King Air, which was substantially faster, yet could be flown by pilots with similar skills and licensing qualifications. However, the company also saw a broad gap between the King Air and existing light jets such as the Learjet, which were far faster but also relatively unforgiving to fly, requiring highly skilled pilots and long runways. Cessna reasoned that a market existed for a light jet that was faster than the King Air but similarly easy to fly, relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain, and able to access small airports with shorter runways. This type of aircraft would appeal to traditional Cessna buyers: amateur owner-pilots who intend to fly the aircraft themselves.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=12–14}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In October 1968 Cessna announced an eight place business jet capable of operating from airfields accessible to light twins.
The '''Fanjet 500''' prototype first flew on September 15, 1969.<!--<ref name="alnet500">-->
By then its unit cost was $695,000,<ref name=Flight2oct1969/> ${{inflation|USD|.695|1969|r=2}}M today.
The renamed '''500 Citation''' had a relatively long development program with a longer forward fuselage, repositioned engine nacelles, a larger tail and more dihedral to the horizontal tail.<!--<ref name="alnet500">-->
It was FAA certified on September 9, 1971.<ref name="alnet500">{{cite web |url= http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/cessna-500-501-citation-citation-i-citation-isp/157 |title= Cessna 500 & 501 Citation, Citation I & Citation I/SP |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |author= Gerard Frawley |via= Airliners.net}}</ref>

In 1974, [[thrust reverser]]s became optional, and in 1976, the gross weight was increased by {{convert|1,000|lb}} to {{convert|10,850|lb}}.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=25}} In early 1976, the wingspan was increased from {{cvt|{{#expr:43+11/12round1}}|to|{{#expr:47+1/12round1}}|ft}}.<ref name="Jane's 76 p275">Taylor, J.W.R. (editor) ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77''. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. {{ISBN|0-354-00538-3}}, p.275.</ref> 
The enhanced '''500 Citation I''' was introduced later in 1976 with the higher gross weight, improved [[JT15D]]-1A engines and the increased span wing. Speed and range were enhanced, the aircraft's [[service ceiling]] increased from {{convert|35,000|to|41,000|ft}}, and the cabin pressure at altitude was increased from {{convert|7.6|to|8.6|psi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="alnet500"/>{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=25}} Many of the original Citations, of which 349 were produced, were upgraded with the new engines.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=26}}
The '''501 Citation I/SP''', certificated for single [[aircraft pilot|pilot]] operations, was delivered in early 1977.<!--<ref name="alnet500">-->
Production ended in 1985, it was developed into the [[Cessna Citation II|Citation II]]/Bravo and the [[Citation V]]/Ultra/Encore.<ref name="alnet500"/>
395 Citations and Citation Is and 296 I/SPs were built between 1971 and 1985.<ref name="alnet500"/><ref>{{cite book| title=Airlife's General Aviation| publisher=Airlife Publishing | location=Shrewsbury, England | first=R.W.| last=Simpson| year=1991 | isbn=1-85310-194-X|page=111}}</ref> The aircraft were dropped from production because JT15D engine prices had increased to the point that the price difference between the Citation I and Citation II series had become minimal, causing most buyers to opt for the larger and faster II and II/SP.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=28}}

By 2018, used 1970s model 500s were valued at $300,000, Citation ISPs at $695,000 to $1.25 million with the Eagle II package.<ref name=AINdec2018>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.ainonline.com/sites/default/files/full-issues/ain_1218.pdf |title= For many models, market hitting the apex |magazine= Aviation International News |author= Mark Huber |date= December 2018 |pages= 20–21, 24 |access-date= 2018-12-27 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181227181555/https://www.ainonline.com/sites/default/files/full-issues/ain_1218.pdf |archive-date= 2018-12-27 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:OH-CIT (5696640971) (2) (cropped).jpg|thumb|The Citation I has a low [[straight wing]] and two aft [[Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D|JT15D]] turbofans.]]

The aircraft was powered by two [[Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D]]-1 turbofan engines after Cessna's experience with the [[T-37 Tweet]] twinjet trainer.<!--<ref name=AW170210/>-->
Its use of turbofans rather than [[turbojet]]s and straight wings rather than [[swept wing]]s made it cruise slowly compared to other business jets and [[Learjet]] salesmen mocked it as the "Nearjet" vulnerable to "bird strikes from the rear"; Cessna renamed it the "[[Citation (horse)|Citation]]" after the thoroughbred but it was nicknamed as "Slowtation".<ref name=AW170210>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/can-cessna-succeed-g450 |title= Can A Cessna Succeed The G450? |date= Feb 10, 2017 |author= William Garvey |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref>

==Operators==
===Government and Military operators===

;{{ANG}}
*[[National Air Force of Angola]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Angola receives maritime surveillance aircraft from Israel|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49594:african-country-receives-maritime-surveillance-aircraft-from-israel&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107|website=Defence Web|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171019154529/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49594:african-country-receives-maritime-surveillance-aircraft-from-israel&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107|archive-date=19 October 2017|date=16 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Martin|first=Guy|title=Angola acquires Citation MPA|magazine=[[Air International]]|date=December 2017|volume=93|issue=6|page=11|issn=0306-5634}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?omni=Home-N-Number&nNumberTxt=54FT|title=FAA Registry: N-Number Inquiry Results: N54FT|publisher=Federal Aviation Authority|access-date=27 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043836/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?omni=Home-N-Number&nNumberTxt=54FT|url-status=dead}}</ref>
;{{ARG}}
*[[Argentine Army]]
*[[Argentine Federal Police]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rivas |first=Santiago |title=Fighting Criminals all over Argentina |magazine=[[Air International]] |date=September 2020 |volume=99 |issue=3 |pages=80–83 |issn=0306-5634}}</ref> 
;{{PRC}}
*[[People's Liberation Army Air Force]]
;{{DOM}}
*[[Dominican Republic Air Force]]
;{{ECU}}
*[[Ecuadorian Navy]]
;{{MEX}}
*[[Mexican Air Force]]<ref>Flores, Santiago A. "From Cavalry to Close Air Support". ''[[Air International]]''. May 2001, Vol. 60, No. 5, {{issn|0306-5634}}, p. 301.</ref>
;{{VEN}}
*[[Venezuelan Air Force]]

== Accidents and incidents ==
Notable accidents and incidents involving the Citation 500, Citation I and Citation I/SP:
* On August 2, 1979, [[New York Yankees]] player [[Thurman Munson]] was killed when his Citation I/SP, [[aircraft registration number]] ''N15NY'', crashed short of the runway during [[touch-and-go landing]] practice at [[Akron-Canton Airport]]; the crash and post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft while Munson's two passengers escaped with serious injuries. The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) attributed the accident to Munson's failure to lower the flaps and maintain adequate airspeed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20041105X01764&AKey=1&RType=Final&IType=FA |title=NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report CHI79FA064 |publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]] |access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
* On March 30, 2008, a Citation I/SP, registration ''VP-BGE'', [[2008 Biggin Hill Cessna Citation crash|crashed near Biggin Hill Airport]], killing former racing drivers [[David Leslie (racing driver)|David Leslie]] and [[Richard Lloyd (racing driver)|Richard Lloyd]], the two pilots, and another passenger, and causing a fire that destroyed two houses struck by the aircraft. The accident was attributed to the flight crew's improper emergency procedures in reaction to a perceived engine fault.<ref name="Sky">{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1311171,00.html |work=[[Sky News]] |title=Two Victims of Private Jet Crash Named |date=30 March 2008 |access-date=31 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516094700/http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0%2C%2C30100-1311171%2C00.html |archive-date=16 May 2008  }}</ref>
* On October 13, 2016, a Citation 500, registration ''C-GTNG'', crashed shortly after takeoff from [[Kelowna International Airport]], killing former [[Premier of Alberta]] [[Jim Prentice]], the pilot, and two other passengers. The [[Transportation Safety Board of Canada]] (TSB) was unable to conclusively determine the cause of the crash, but the flight profile was consistent with a [[Graveyard spiral|spiral dive]] caused by [[spatial disorientation]], and the pilot's lack of experience flying at night and in [[instrument meteorological conditions]] were thought to have contributed. The TSB also noted that although the aircraft had been outfitted for single-pilot operations in accordance with [[Transport Canada]] (TC) regulations, the operator lacked the required TC approval for single-pilot flights, and the TSB criticized TC for lax operator oversight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/aviation/2016/a16p0186/a16p0186.asp |title=Aviation Investigation Report A16P0186 |publisher=Transportation Safety Board of Canada |date=June 4, 2019 |access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
* On May 29, 2021, a Citation 501, registration ''N66BK'', [[2021 Percy Priest Lake Cessna 501 Citation I/SP crash|crashed into Percy Priest Lake]] shortly after takeoff from [[Smyrna Airport (Tennessee)|Smyrna Airport]], killing American author [[Gwen Shamblin Lara]] and her husband, American actor [[Joe Lara]], along with five other leaders of the Remnant Fellowship Church. The NTSB investigation determined the cause of the accident was pilot error related to somatogravic illusion (a type of spatial disorientation), due to heavy cloud cover.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/ntsb-pilot-error-crash-killing-224248406.html |title=NTSB: Pilot error in crash killing diet guru Gwen Shamblin |publisher=AP |date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref>

==Specifications (Cessna Citation I)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95 <ref name="Janes Up 94 p300-1">{{cite book |editor-last=Michell |editor-first=Simon |title=Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994-95 |year=1994 |location=Coulsdon, Surrey UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0-7106-1208-7 |pages=300–301}}</ref>
|prime units?=kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew=Two (One pilot on I/SP)
|capacity=5 passengers
|length m=
|length ft=43
|length in=6
|span m=
|span ft=47
|span in=1
|height m=
|height ft=14
|height in=4
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=278.5
|aspect ratio=7.83:1
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=6631
|gross weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=11850
|fuel capacity={{convert|564|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}} usable fuel
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D]]-1B
|eng1 type=[[turbofan]]s
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=2200<!-- jet/rocket engines -->

<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed mach=0.705
|max speed note=(above {{convert|28000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed kts=357
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|35000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|stall speed kts=82
|stall speed note=([[Calibrated airspeed|CAS]])
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=1328
|range note=at {{convert|41000|ft|m|abbr=on}} (45 min reserves, {{convert|1562|lb|kg|abbr=on}} payload)
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=41000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=2719
|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent
|related=
* [[Cessna Citation|Cessna Citation series]]
* [[Cessna Citation II]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Aérospatiale Corvette]]
* [[Dassault Falcon 10]]
* [[HFB 320 Hansa Jet]]
* [[Learjet 25]]
|lists=
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last=Szurovy |first=Geza |date=1999 |title=Cessna Citation Jets |location=Osceola, Wisconsin |publisher=MBI Publishing Company |isbn=0-7603-0785-7}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category}}

{{Citation family}}
{{Cessna}}

[[Category:1960s United States business aircraft]]
[[Category:Cessna aircraft|Citation I]]
[[Category:Twinjets]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Cruciform tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Cessna Citation family|Citation 001]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1969]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]