The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name: Coaler) is a Soviet/Ukrainian transport aircraft, developed by Antonov. It was designed as an STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-26,[3] but variants have found success as commercial freighters.
Transport aircraft by Antonov
An-72
A Russian Air Force An-72 on short final in to Chkalovsky Airport
The An-72 and the related An-74 get their nickname, Cheburashka, from the large engine intake ducts, which resemble the oversized ears of the popular Soviet animated character of the same name.
Design and development
The An-72 first flew on 22 December 1977.[4] Produced in tandem with the An-72, the An-74 variant adds the ability to operate in harsh weather conditions in polar regions, because it can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear, de-icing equipment, and a number of other upgrades, allowing the aircraft to support operations in Arctic or Antarctic environments. Other An-72 versions include the An-72S VIP transport and An-72P maritime patrol aircraft.
Its first flight was made on 31 August 1977, but production started in the late 1980s. The powerplant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine.[5] The An-72 resembles the unsuccessful Boeing YC-14,[6] a prototype design from the early 1970s (design submitted to the United States Air Force in February 1972,[7]) which had also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect.
The rear fuselage of the aircraft has a hinged loading ramp with a rear fairing that slides backwards and up to clear the opening. Up to 7.5 tonnes (7.4 long tons; 8.3 short tons) can be airdropped while it has folding side seats for 52 passengers.
In 2018, six An-72 aircraft were reported to be upgraded for the Russian Aerospace Forces and Navy to carry more fuel and payload for Arctic operations.[8]
Operation
The An-72 has STOL capabilities; its take-off roll is 620m (2,000ft) and its landing run is 420m (1,400ft).[9] This aircraft was designed to be used on unprepared surfaces; its robust undercarriage and high-flotation tyres allow operations on sand, grass, or other unpaved surfaces.
Variants
An-71 "Madcap": Prototype AWACS aircraft developed from the An-72.
An-72 "Coaler-A": Preproduction aircraft. Two flying prototypes, one static test airframe and eight preproduction machines.
An-72A "Coaler-C": Initial production STOL transport with a longer fuselage and increased wingspan.
An-72AT – "Coaler-C": Freight version of the An-72A compatible with standard international shipping containers.
An-72S – "Coaler-C": Executive VIP transport fitted with a galley in a front cabin, work and rest areas in a central cabin, and 24 armchairs in a rear cabin, can also be reconfigured for transporting freight or 38 passengers or as an air ambulance carrying eight stretchers.
An-72P: Patrol aircraft. Armed with one 23 millimetres (0.91in) GSh-23L cannon plus bombs and/or rockets.[10]
An-72R (also known as An-72BR): Prototype electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, with conformal antenna fairings running up each side of the fuselage.[11] Known as 'Aircraft 88' during development and erroneously known as An-88.
An-74: Arctic/Antarctic support model with room for five crew, increased fuel capacity, larger radar in bulged nose radome, improved navigation equipment, better de-icing equipment, and can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear.
Operators
Civilian operators
In August 2006, in total, 51 An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft were in airline service. The major operators include Badr Airlines (three), and Shar Ink (eight). Some 17 other airlines operate fewer of the type.[citation needed]
Peruvian Air Force – two (operated until late 1990s and sold to civilian market)
Soviet Union
Soviet Air Force
Accidents and incidents
As of May 2022[update], there have been 24 known accidents and incidents involving the An-72 or An-74; of these, the following involved fatalities:[14]
17 September 1991—CCCP-74002 attempted to take off from Lensk Airport overloaded with fish. All 13 human occupants died when it crashed 4 kilometres (2.5mi) from the airport.[15]
10 February 1995—An Antonov An-72 chase plane had a mid-air collision while following the Antonov An-70 prototype aircraft during a test flight. The collision caused the An-70 to crash into a forested area, killing all seven An-70 crew members.[16] The An-72 lost a right wing flap,[17] but it was able to return to base safely.[16]
22 December 1997—ER-ACF, an Antonov An-72 disappeared on a cargo flight from Port Bouet Airport, Côte d'Ivoire to Rundu Airport, Namibia. The aircraft and its five crew members disappeared without a trace over the South Atlantic. The cause of the incident remains undetermined.[18]
23 April 2006—UR-74038 carrying food aid to Chad from Libya crashed in Cameroon, killing all 6 crew.[19][20]
27 November 2006—An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force An-72 crashed after takeoff from Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, killing 37 of the 38 aboard.[21]
25 December 2012—An An-72 carrying Kazakhstani border patrol officials crashed in Shymkent, killing all 27 people on board.[22][23]
10 October 2019—An An-72 operated for the DRC Air Force with 4 crew and 4 passengers crashed in Congo; none survived.[24][25]
Specifications (An-72)
Data fromThe Osprey Encyclopædia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995[26]
General characteristics
Crew: five
Capacity: up to 52 passengers or 10 tonnes of cargo
Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002–2003. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p.27. ISBN1-875671-55-2.
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