Xian Y-7

The Xian Y-7 is a transport aircraft designed and built in the Peoples Republic of China. It is based on the Soviet-designed Antonov An-24 series.

Development
The People's Republic of China imported the Antonov An-24 from early in its production run and also negotiated licences for production of the aircraft and its engines. In 1966, Xi'an aircraft factory started the project of local production of An-24. The first Chinese-assembled An-24T had its maiden flight on 25 December 1970. Production was launched in 1977 at the Xi'an aircraft factory but progress was slow due to the deleterious effects of the Cultural Revolution, with a pre-production aircraft displayed to the public at Nanyuan air base, near Beijing, on 17 April 1982. WJ-5A1 turboprop engine was chosen as Y-7's power source. The first production aircraft was not flown until February 1984, illustrating the slow progress (eighteen years from licence to production).

The Chinese aircraft equated to the An-24RV, having a full complement of windows and the booster jet engine. The majority of early deliveries were to the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), mostly as transports, with a few in 52-seat airliner configuration for the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). After the initial licenced production run the Y-7 was developed separately from the An-24 with a succession of upgrades culminating in the MA60 (Modern Ark) series.

A tactical transport derivative was copied, un-licenced, from the Antonov An-26 and emerged as the Y-7H, incorporating the cargo ramp door and military equipment of the An-26.

Variants

 * Xian Y-7
 * Chinese-built version powered by two Dongan WJ5A turboprop engines.


 * Xian Y-7E
 * Speculative designation for a 'Hot and High version with more powerful engines.


 * Xian Y-7G
 * A military variant of the MA60 produced for the PLAAF.


 * Xian Y-7H
 * (Hao -cargo) A reverse-engineered An-26 with rear loading ramp for the PLAAF, entering production in 1992.


 * Xian Y7H-500
 * Civil variant of the Y-7H certified in 1994.


 * Xian Y-14
 * The original designation for the An-26 copy/Y-7H.


 * Xian Y7-100
 * Improved version, developed in co-operation with HAECO (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company), with redesigned cockpit and cabin, as well as winglets. This variation was added upgraded passenger cabin interior, new avionics sourced from western providers. Flight crew was down to three, it is capable of carrying 52 passengers.


 * Xian Y7-100C1
 * Five-crew variant with equipment changes.


 * Xian Y7-100C2
 * Five-crew variant with equipment changes.


 * Xian-Y7-100C3
 * Five-crew variant with equipment changes.


 * Xian Y7-200
 * Fitted with new avionics; without winglets.


 * Xian Y7-200A
 * Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127C turboprop engines.


 * Xian Y7-200B
 * Stretched version (74cm (29in)) with WJ5A-1G engines, built for the Chinese domestic market.


 * Xian HYJ-7
 * (Hongzhaji Yunshuji Jiaolianji - Bomber/transport/trainer) A pilot and crew trainer for H-6 heavy bombers fitted with a stabilised HM-1A bombsight, bomb-aiming radar and a TNL-7880 combined navigation system.


 * Xian MA60
 * (Y7-MA60) (Modern Ark 60 seats) A westernised variant of the Y-7 intended to attract more western customers and meet Joint Airworthiness Requirements.


 * Xian JZY-01 experimental aircraft / Y-7 AWACS
 * Carrier-based AWACS variant. JZY stands for Jian (舰) Zai (载) Yu (预), meaning carrier borne AEW, has 4 rudders like E-2 AEW

Operators

 * Phnom Penh Airways
 * President Airlines
 * Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
 * Lao Airlines - 4 in service
 * Laos Air Force
 * undefined
 * Mauritanian Air Force
 * Air Changan
 * Air China
 * China Eastern Airlines
 * China General Aviation
 * China Great Wall Airlines
 * China Northern Airlines
 * China Southern Airlines
 * Civil Aviation Flight University of China
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * Shanxi Airlines
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * Wuhan Airlines
 * Zhongyuan Airlines
 * Shanxi Airlines
 * Sichuan Airlines
 * Wuhan Airlines
 * Zhongyuan Airlines

Accidents and incidents

 * On June 22, 2000, Wuhan Airlines Flight 343 was struck by lightning and crashed near Sitai, Yongfeng, killing all 42 on board and another seven on the ground. This crash is the worst ever accident involving the Y-7.
 * On October 19, 2006, a People's Liberation Army Air Force Y-7 crashed into a wheat field near Hengshui, killing two.