Antonov An-72

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An-72
A Russian Air Force An-72 on short final in to Chkalovsky Airport
Role	Transport aircraft
National origin	Soviet Union/Ukraine
Manufacturer	Antonov
First flight	31 August 1977[1]
Status	In service
Primary users	Russian Air Force Russian Navy Angolan Air Force
Produced	1977–present
Number built	195 (An-72 & An-74)[2]
Variants	Antonov An-74
Developed into	Antonov An-71

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, but variants have found success as commercial freighters.

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 in December 1977 (1977-12).^[3] 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.

An unusual design feature of the An-72 is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. The first flight was made on 31 August 1977, but it was only in the 1980s that production started. The powerplant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine.^[4] The An-72 bears some resemblance to the unsuccessful Boeing YC-14,^[3] a prototype design from the early 1970s (design submitted to the Air Force in February 1972^[5]) 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 tons^{[clarification needed]} can be airdropped while there are folding side seats for 52 passengers.

In 2018, it was reported that six An-72 aircraft will be upgraded for the Russian Aerospace Forces and Navy to carry more fuel and payload for Arctic operations.^[6]

Operational history[]

The An-72 has STOL capabilities; its takeoff roll is 620 metres (2,030 ft) and its landing run is 420 metres (1,380 ft).^[7] 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.

In January 1997 and 1998, the Paris-Dakar rally was assisted by two An-72 aircraft. In 1999, a total of four aircraft of this type joined the rally.^{[citation needed]}

Variants[]

• 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 mm GSh-23L cannon plus bombs and/or rockets.^[8]
• 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[]

Civil operators[]

In August 2006, a total of 51 An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft were in airline service. Major operators include Badr Airlines (three), and Shar Ink (eight). Some 17 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.^[9]

 Sudan

• Badr Airlines
• Green Flag Airlines

 Ukraine

• Motor Sich Airlines
• Antonov Airlines

Military operators[]

As of December 2018, 42 aircraft are in military service:^[10]

 Angola

• Angolan Air Force: 6

 Equatorial Guinea

• Equatorial Guinea Air Force: 1

 Kazakhstan

• Kazakhstan Air Force: 1

 Libya

• Libyan Air Force: 1

 Russia

• Russian Air Force: 28
• Russian Navy: 5

Former military operators[]

 Armenia

• Armenian Air Force

 Georgia

• Georgian Air Force

 Libya

• Libyan Air Force

 Moldova

• Moldovan Air Force: Two

 Peru

• Peruvian Air Force – two (operated until late 1990s and sold to civilian market)

 Soviet Union

• Soviet Air Force

Accidents and incidents[]

This list is incomplete; you can help by . (July 2013)

• On 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.^[11] The An-72 lost a right wing flap,^[12] but it was able to return to base safely.^[11]
• On 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.^[13]
• On 25 December 2012, an An-72 carrying Kazakhstani border patrol officials crashed in Shymkent, killing all 27 people on board.^[14][15]
• On 1 November 2013, a Congolese An-72-100 overran the runway at Kisangani Bangoka International Airport. It suffered major damage and caught fire.^[16]
• 7 July 2019, an Equatorial Guinea Air Force An-72P crashed into the sea near Campo, Grand Batanga, Kribi.^[17] All seven occupants survived and were rescued.^[18]
• On 11 October 2019, an An-72 operated for the DRC Air Force with 4 crew and 4 passengers crashed in Congo.^[19]

Specifications (An-72)[]

Data from The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995

General characteristics

• Crew: five
• Capacity: up to 52 passengers or 10 tonnes of cargo
• Length: 28.07 m (92 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 31.89 m (104 ft 7.5 in)
• Height: 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in)
• Wing area: 98.62 m² (1,062 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 19,050 kg (42,000 lb)
• Gross weight: 34,500 kg (76,058 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 700 km/h (435 mph, 378 kn)
• Range: 4,325 km (2,688 mi, 2,336 nmi)

See also[]

Related development

• Antonov An-71
• Antonov An-74

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Boeing YC-14
• McDonnell-Douglas YC-15

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS
• List of STOL aircraft
• List of aircraft

References[]

Notes[]

Bibliography[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Antonov An-72.

• An-72/An-74 Family ( Data for An-72A & List of all known An-72/An-74 Family variants )
• An-74 Pictures
• AN-74TK-300 modification at Antonov's site
• AN-74T modification at Antonov's site
• AN-74T-200A INFO
• AN-74TK-300D INFO
• "An-71, O.K.Antonov 'Madcap'". ctrl-c.liu.se. 18 June 1999. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017.
• An-71 Article, Images
• Specs at globalsecurity.org