reduction gearbox. The cabin was the result of a collaboration with Boeing engineers who modelled the interior space, fittings and decor after larger airliners. The use of a sturdy structure complete with the traditional Short braced-wing-and-boxy-fuselage configuration also led to an ease of maintenance and serviceability. Production ended in 1992 with a total of 141 being built (including freighter and military versions). As of 1998, approximately 35 were still in service. The 330's design was refined and heavily modified, resulting in the Short 360. Variants 330-100 was the original production model with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45A and -45B turboprop engines. 330-200 included minor improvements and more powerful PT6A-45R engine. 330-UTT was the Utility Tactical Transport version of the 330-200, with a strengthened cabin floor and inward-opening paratroop doors. Sherpa was a freighter version of the 330-200 with a full width rear cargo ramp. C-23 Sherpa A, and B variants are military configured Short Sherpas. (NB The C-23B+ is a conversion of 28 Short 360 airframes.) Operators Civilian The aircraft is popular with air charters, small feeder airlines, and air freight companies. Military United States Air Force (C-23) United States Army (C-23) Former Tanzanian Air Force Royal Thai Army Royal Thai Police United Arab Emirates Air Force Venezuelan Air Force Accidents and incidents the aircraft type has suffered three fatal accidents in civilian use: 3 August 1989: an Olympic Aviation Short 330, operating as Olympic Aviation Flight 545, crashed on a hillside in Samos island, Greece, while attempting a landing approach in thick fog. All 3 crew members and 31 passengers were killed. 25 May 2000: a Streamline Aviation Short 330 G-SSWN was hit by a departing aircraft (F-GHED, an MD-83 of Air Liberte) when it entered an active runway at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The wingtip of the departing plane slashed through the Short's cockpit and killed one of its pilots. 5 May 2017: a Short 330 cargo plane owned by Air Cargo Carriers and operated as Air Cargo Carriers Flight 1260 crashed after suffering a hard landing at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia. Early reports stated that the left wing made contact with the surface of the runway, and separated from the fuselage, causing the aircraft to cartwheel off the runway and down a heavily wooded hillside. Both pilots died in the crash. In addition to these three accidents there have been at least 16 hull-loss occurrences,