A Russian An-22 military transport aircraft crashed on 9/12 in an uninhabited area of the Ivanovo region during a test flight following repairs, according to an announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Search and rescue teams, along with a committee from the Russian Aerospace Forces, were dispatched to the scene.
The Russian Investigative Committee later confirmed that the accident occurred near Ivankovo village, killing all seven crew members aboard. Authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into potential violations of pre-flight preparation regulations. Kommersant, citing sources, reported that a technical malfunction is suspected as the cause of the crash.
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A Russian An-22 transport aircraft pictured on 9/12. Photo: RIA Novosti |
A Russian An-22 transport aircraft pictured on 9/12. Photo: RIA Novosti
The Ivanovo region is located approximately 200 km east of Moscow. The An-22, a heavy propeller-driven transport aircraft, was designed and manufactured by the Antonov company, headquartered in Kiev during the Soviet era. Upon its first flight in 1965, it was the world's heaviest transport aircraft. A total of 68 An-22 units, including two prototypes, were produced between 1966 and 1976.
The aircraft entered service with the Soviet military in 1969. It was highly valued for its large cargo capacity, capable of carrying approximately 60 tons of freight or up to 292 troops, including complete missile systems and heavy military vehicles. The An-22 could also operate from rudimentary airfields when necessary.
By the early 2000s, only nine An-22s remained operational at the Migalovo base in Tver province. At that time, the Russian military possessed a larger number of superior An-124 transport aircraft, which are jet-powered, can carry 136 tons of cargo, and were introduced in the 1980s.
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Location of Ivankovo village (red dot). Graphic: Google Earth |
Location of Ivankovo village (red dot). Graphic: Google Earth
Despite the availability of newer aircraft, Moscow opted to maintain its An-22 fleet due to their lower operating costs compared to the An-124 and greater payload capacity than the Ilyushin Il-76. However, subsequent modernization plans for the An-22 series failed, reducing the number of operational aircraft to five.
Information emerged in 8/2024 suggesting that Russia had ceased operations of its An-22 force. The last aircraft, with registration RF-09309, reportedly flew to Yekaterinburg to prepare for display at a military museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. However, recent satellite images of the museum do not show the aircraft, indicating a potential change in these plans.
Pham Giang (According to RIA Novosti, Moscow Times, War Zone)
