The Beechcraft 76 Duchess was a twin-engine development of the Beechcraft Musketeer, and was designed as an economical twin-engine trainer to compete with the successful Piper Seminole.

By sheer coincidence, and in accordance to the "form follows function" rule, the two aircraft appear to be nearly identical. The Duchess was equipped with the same 180-hp Lycoming engines as the Seminole. Due to the relatively weak-powered engines, and the rather heavy construction of the Duchess, many student pilots complain that the aircraft is greatly under-powered, especially for engine-out training. This has lead to the common moniker "Gutless Duchess" being applied to the aircraft.

Unlike the Seminole, which is still being produced today, the Duchess is no longer in production, but large numbers remain in use in flight schools around the world.

Specifications (BE-76)

General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Payload: 854 lbs. (387.3 kg.)
- Length: 29ft. 1in. (8.85 m)
- Wingspan: 38ft. (11.58 m)
- Height: 9ft. 6in. (2.89 m)
- Wing area: 181 ft2 (16.8 m2)
- Empty weight: 2446 lbs. (1100 kg)
- Useful load: 1454 lbs. (659.5 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3900 lbs. (1780 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Lycoming O-360-A1G6D Hartzell HC-M2YR-2CEUF-FC7666A 2-blade, 180 hp (135 kW) each

Performance
- Never exceed speed: 194 KIAS (225.5 mph)
- Maximum speed: 171 knots (197 mph)
- Stall speed: 60 KIAS VSo (70 KIAS VS1)
- Range: 932 NM (1072.5 miles)
- Service ceiling: 19,400 ft. (4 876.8 m)
- Rate of climb: 1248 ft./min. (380.4 m/min.)