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
An unusual design feature of the An-72 is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, using engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift.
The An-72 first flew on 31 August 1977 and was likely developed as a response to the never-manufactured USAF Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) initiated ten years earlier.[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-36turbofan 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 620 m (2,000 ft) and its landing run is 420 m (1,400 ft).[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.
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 (0.91 in) 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
A Russian Navy An-72 showing the front view that resembles 'Cheburashka'.Ukraine National Guard An-72 at Zhulyany AirportKazakhstan Border Guard Antonov An-72-100
Civilian operators
In August 2006, in total, 51 An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft were in airline service. The major operators included Badr Airlines (three), and Shar Ink (eight). Some 17 other airlines operated this aircraft.[citation needed]
Current civil operators:
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 (2.5 mi) 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]
^Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002–2003. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 27. ISBN1-875671-55-2.
