Antonov An-72

The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name Coaler) is a Soviet transport aircraft, developed by Antonov. It was designed as a STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-26, but variants have found success as commercial freighters.

The An-72 and 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. 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 August 31, 1977, but it was only in the 1980s that production started. The power plant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine. The An-72 bears a resemblance to the Boeing YC-14, a prototype design from the early 1970s 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 can be airdropped whilst there are folding side seats for 52 passengers.

Operational history
The An-72 has STOL capabilities: its takeoff roll is 620 metres and its landing run is 420 metres. 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.

Variants

 * An-72 "Coaler-A": Pre production aircraft. Two flying prototypes, one static test airframe and eight pre-production machines.


 * An-72A "Coaler-C": Initial production STOL transport with a longer fuselage and increased wing span.


 * 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.


 * 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.

Civil operators
In August 2006, a total of 51 An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include Badr Airlines (three), Air Armenia (three), Enimex (five), Gazpromavia (12), and Shar Ink (eight). Some 17 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.


 * Air Armenia
 * Enimex
 * Darta
 * Gazpromavia
 * Yamal Airlines
 * Aeroflot
 * Badr Airlines
 * Green Flag Airlines
 * Motor Sich Airlines
 * Antonov Airlines
 * Badr Airlines
 * Green Flag Airlines
 * Motor Sich Airlines
 * Antonov Airlines
 * Motor Sich Airlines
 * Antonov Airlines

Military operators

 * Military of Equatorial Guinea: Two
 * Moldovan Air Force: Two
 * Russian Air Force: 39
 * Ukrainian Air Force: 26
 * Russian Air Force: 39
 * Ukrainian Air Force: 26
 * Ukrainian Air Force: 26
 * Ukrainian Air Force: 26

Former military operators

 * National Air Force of Angola
 * Armenian Air Force
 * Georgian Air Force
 * Military of Kazakhstan - one (crashed on 25 December 2012)
 * undefined
 * Libyan Air Force
 * Peruvian Air Force – two (operated until late 1990s and sold to civilian market)
 * Soviet Union
 * Soviet Air Force
 * Libyan Air Force
 * Peruvian Air Force – two (operated until late 1990s and sold to civilian market)
 * Soviet Union
 * Soviet Air Force
 * Soviet Air Force

Accidents and incidents

 * 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.
 * On 25 December 2012, an An-72 carrying Kazakhstani border patrol officials crashed in Shymkent, killing all 27 people on board.