Unconfirmed reports from Ukraine suggest that the world’s largest aircraft has been destroyed. The Antonov An-225 is based at Hostomel Airport (GML). According to flight data, the plane registered as UR-82060 is currently at the airport, having last landed there on February 5th, 2022.
The Antonov An-225 is as unique as aircraft come. While construction was started on two aircraft, only one was ever completed. The plane can turn heads wherever it flies, thanks partly to its enormous size, three jet engines on each wing, and an impressive number of wheels. Now, the aircraft may be gone for good.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the aircraft is no more
Unconfirmed reports from Ukraine suggest that the mighty Antonov An-225, nicknamed Mryia, has been destroyed as Russian forces advance on Ukraine. Videos circulating on Twitter appear to show Russian helicopters launching a large air assault operation on Hostomel Airport. Huge plumes of black smoke can be seen rising from the ground.
Another video taken from a different angle also shows helicopters flying towards Hostomel Airport. The airport is around 25km from Kyiv, with some suggesting that the Russian Forces seek to take the airport to fly heavy equipment into the country close to its capital city. As the home of the world’s largest aircraft, almost anything should be able to land at the facility.
Commenting on the reports, an Anotov spokesperson told Simple Flying,
“We cannot confirm or refute this information as our personnel was evacuated from Kyiv-Antonov airport.”
UPDATE: 2022/02/24 17:30 UTC By Tom Boon
Antonov Pilot Dmytro Antonov confirms that the An-225 is intact
Antonov pilot Dmytro Antonov appears to have confirmed that the An-225 remains intact at its home airport outside of Kyiv.
About the Antonov An-225
As mentioned, the Antonov An-225 is the world’s largest aircraft. According to data from ch-aviation.com, UR-82060 is 33.2 years old, having first flown on December 21st, 1988. Due to the aircraft’s size, it is only used when there are no other options. This means that the aircraft spends much of its time at its home near Kyiv when it is not needed. This does have its benefits, though. With low flight hours, the aircraft was forecast to fly for years ahead.
The aircraft has set 124 world records. While everybody is likely aware that it holds the record for largest plane and longest piece of air cargo, one thing you may not know is that it holds the record for the world’s highest art exhibition, which took place in the fuselage at around 33,000 feet in the air.
What about the second An-225?
A second Antonov An-225 is sitting unfinished in a hangar, though the aircraft is sat at the same airport as the airworthy An-225. If the flying An-225 has been destroyed, the unfinished aircraft may have also been ruined. Even if the second fuselage remains intact, it likely won’t be completed as a replacement from the main An-225. While it is said to be 70% complete, and interest in finishing the aircraft pops up sporadically, Antanov’s CEO said that finishing the plane is economically unviable in the summer of 2020.
The Simple Flying team’s thoughts are with those affected by the situation in Ukraine.
Content Manager – Degree educated in Aerospace Technology, this certified pilot is a passionate specialist in European aviation. Working closely with British Airways, Lufthansa and others, Tom provides commentary on topical issues for outlets including the BBC. Based in Frankfurt, Germany.
This content was originally published here.