Beechcraft Baron 55
8 models built 1961–1982 · 764 on the US register today
The Baron 55, built 1961-1982 on type certificate 3A16: the light twin most pilots treat as the standard of the class, with 260 hp Continental IO-470s (285 hp IO-520s in the C55/D55/E55), six seats and about 190 knots. The 95-B55 of 1964 lengthened the nose and is the most numerous; the T-42A Cochise is the US Army instrument-trainer version of it.
The variants
| MODEL | YEARS | ACTIVE | TAILFAX SCORE | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95-55 | 1961 | 53 | Partial 11.7/30 | The original Baron: 260 hp IO-470 |
| 95-B55B (T42A) | 1961–1982 | 0 | — | US Army T-42A Cochise instrument trainer |
| 95-A55 | 1962–1963 | 90 | 22.2/50 | New panel and interior |
| 95-B55 | 1964–1982 | 74 | Partial 20.1/30 | Seven-inch longer nose; most numerous Baron 55 |
| B-55 | 1964–1982 | 55 | Partial 15.2/30 | Registry spelling of the 95-B55 |
| 95-C55 | 1966–1967 | 158 | 29.7/50 | 285 hp IO-520, lengthened nose |
| D55 | 1968–1969 | 119 | 19.6/50 | Three-blade props, speed-slope windshield |
| E-55 | 1970–1982 | 215 | 28.5/50 | Interconnected tanks option (1976), improved avionics |
Family fleet, active
764
FAA registry
NTSB events / 1,000, 10 yrs
49.7
38 events over 764 active aircraft, pooled across the family
Successor
Data as of: FAA registry Sep 28 · NTSB Oct 2 · scores Sep 30