GECAS, Bavaria Leasing, CSA-Czech Airlines, Atlantic Coast Airlines, and SolAir, had reportedly placed a cumulative 125 firm orders for the type, as well as signed options for an additional 164 aircraft. According to Fairchild Dornier, it needed to sell 200 aircraft to reach the programme's break-even point. The lead aircraft of the programme was the 70-to-85 seat 728, which was referred to as the 728JET early on. Assembly of the aircraft was performed at Fairchild Dornier's facility in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. On 21 March 2002, the first 728 conducted its official roll-out; it was scheduled to perform its maiden flight during the summer of 2002. Furthermore, deliveries of the type were expected to commence during mid-2003, the launch customer being Lufthansa Cityline. However, only two days before the roll-out, it was announced that the programme would be set back by two months due to a shortage of available funds. A week later, reports emerged that the company was in talks with four potential new strategic partners, and that securing at least one was of "critical and crucial" importance. Termination Prior to the intended date of the 728's first flight being performed, Fairchild Dornier was rendered insolvent and forced to declare bankruptcy on 2 April 2002. One consequence of this was the whole programme being immediately brought to a standstill; shortly thereafter, both Lufthansa and GECAS chose to cancel their orders for the type. The withdrawal of the 728's two biggest customers was a considerable blow to the programme, potentially putting off investors and partners that were being sought out at this time. During July 2003, D'Long International Strategic Investment Group of Xinjiang, China showed an interest in purchasing a stake the project. A new entity, Fairchild Dornier Aeroindustries, was formed with the aim of completing development of the aircraft, however, this company also filed for bankruptcy during 2004. During this brief revival, no additional aircraft were produced, although structural tests in Dresden were commenced during 2003. Design The Fairchild Dornier 728 is a relatively conventional airliner in terms of its design, being equipped with a low-mounted wing and powered by a pair of turbofan engines that were mounted in underwing pods beneath the wings. Common to most airliners, it has a monoplane configuration and is furnished with a retractable undercarriage in a tricycle configuration. The flight control surfaces are located at the trailing edge of the wings, such as the Ailerons,