Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner — the high-speed commuter turboprop
The Metroliner originated from the Swearingen SA226, developed in the 1960s to serve the growing commuter airline market with a faster and more capable alternative to piston twins. The improved Metroliner variants, notably the SA227 series, introduced more powerful engines and refinements that made the aircraft well suited to frequent, short-stage airline schedules. It entered widespread service during the 1970s and 1980s, operating from smaller airports while still maintaining respectable cruise speeds.
A key appeal of the Metroliner was its combination of compact size and pressurized cabin, which allowed it to fly above weather on regional routes while carrying a typical commuter load. It was widely used by U.S. regional carriers under major airline brands, and it also found a strong niche in cargo service thanks to its sturdy structure and straightforward maintenance profile.
The aircraft’s role expanded beyond passenger service. Metroliners were adapted for freight operations, corporate transport, and specialized missions, including surveillance and military training in some countries. Over time, the type faced increasing competition from larger regional turboprops and regional jets, but it remained valued for operations where speed, reliability, and short-field practicality mattered most.
Even decades after its peak commuter era, the Metroliner continues to fly in cargo and utility roles, reflecting the durability of its design and the lasting demand for a tough, efficient short-haul turboprop.
Development
At the first stage of the Metro’s construction, Swearingen Aircraft experienced some financial difficulties. And in late 1971, Fairchild purchased 90% of Swearingen; so, the company was later renamed Swearingen Aviation Corporation. Then, at this point, the cash-strapped company before was able to place the Metro into the production.
In the year 1974, the original models of Metro were changed by SA226-TC Metro II immediately after about 30 Merlin IVAs, and 20 Metros have been built. The changes being made were optional provision and squared-oval windows for a small Rocket-Assisted Take Off rocket on its tail cone. This is being offered to enhance the performance when taking off out of “high & hot” airfields in cases of some engine failures.
Both Metro & Metro II are limited to their maximum weight of 5,760 kg or 12,500 lbs. in the United States and countries utilizing imperial units, around 5,700 kgs in countries utilize SI units. When the restriction was already lifted, Metro II was again certified as a Metro IIA in the year 1980 with a maximum weight of 5,941 kgs or 13,100 lbs. Thus, Metro II’s TPEE331-3 engines were replaced by -10 engines of increased power.
Design
Metroliner was typically an evolution of a Swearingen Merlin, which is turbo-pop powered type of business aircraft. A fixed-based operator from Texas, Ed Swearingen, started its developments that led to a Metro through regular innovations to the Queen Air and Beechcraft twin Bonanza type of business aircraft, which he then dubbed Excalibur.
There’s a new fuselage and vertical fin which were developed, married to rebuilt horizontal tails and its air wings, and a landing gear Twin Bonanza. This is because of SA26 Merlin, a pressurized Excalibur. With the successive models, SA26-At Merlin IIB and SA26-T Merlin IIA, the aircraft engines were also changed to Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6. After that, it was changed to Garrett TPE331 turbo props. These were also marketed as aircraft for a business that can occupy at least 8-10 passengers.
Notable Accidents and Incidents
On the 12th day of June 1980, Metro II that operates Air Wisconsin Flight 965, experienced some engine failure that provides massive water ingestion in the middle of a thunderstorm. The crews lost their control and crashed at Valley, Nebraska. The crew members and its 11 passengers died during the accident. There were two passengers who survived, but with serious conditions and injuries.
Another incident happened last the 30th day of January 1984. The Metro II was operated by Britt Airways have crashed after taking off from Terre Haute, Indiana, to Evansville, Indiana. The Chief pilot and the Director of Operations, including the 3 Britt employees, have died in this accident. The aircraft, N63Z, has been destroyed, and the cause of the accident was still undetermined.
