Those of you who know of and care about Antonov's An-225 Mriya will be sad to hear this news.
I have it on good authority that the aircraft has been seriously damaged on the ground at Ras Al Khaimah airport (OMRK/RKT) in the United Arab Emirates sometime last week. I can find no news on the web of the incident after much Googling.
I have seen pictures of the damage caused by some sort of hydraulic rupture around the lower nose area which resulted in the dual nosegears being literally torn from their mountings. This caused massive structural deformation to the floor in that area. The nose cargo door was being opened which compounded the problem because the fuselage had lost the structural rigidity to better withstand the force. Flying shrapnel caused further damage to the airframe including the wings
The ramp at RAK (not the largest) is pretty well blocked bringing what little other traffic there is to a halt. I haven't been able to check NOTAMs for the airport, but I'm sure operations there are badly affected.
Apparently the dilemma is whether or not to repair this nearly unique aircraft. Having been bult in such small numbers (only two exist and I'm not certain if the second one is flying yet) spares are not exactly easily available.
There's an urgency, from the airport authorities, to remove it from the ramp. There's the distance of RKT from the Ukraine and the Antonov factory. The airframe is now structurally compromised, so cannot be flown. There's no hangarage at the airport and we have the imminent heat of the Arabian summer with temperatures up to 50C/120F, dust storms etc. Not the ideal conditions to conduct lengthy repairs, even if they're possible, out in the open.
I've asked to be emailed some pictures. I'll post them here, if I can, when I get them.
If anyone can find any news to verify any of this, that would be nice.
Dave
Last edited by hkgdave; 04-03-2007 at 09:20 AM.
Reason: Spelling correction
That is such horrible news to hear. As for the 2nd Mirya, Its fuseluage is still in a hangar in Ukraine waiting to be produced. If it is to be built now, it is to replace this good ol' plane. Very strange that only source about this is you though. Nothing on A.net (after a quick search) about this and I know this would show up on A.net pretty quick.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Last edited by LOT 737-300; 04-03-2007 at 10:42 AM.
Ras Al Khaimah is a bit off the beaten track, but I agree that it's surprising something hasn't been heard elsewhere about it.
If I hadn't seen the photos, about 20 of them from the 'planes approach, landing, parking and the subsequent incident and its aftermath, I would not have made this posting.
I'll add some of the photos if they get sent to me.
Dave
ive always thought about what would happen when that plane needs to be replaced. its gotta come sometime. sad it had (or possible will) come so soon.
isnt it compatible with an-124 parts?
they cancelled the second an225 b/c the 1st one did little anyway so there is only parts of the second one after cancelation, but it might pull back out...that is sad though, but long live the an225
we just had an AN-124 fly to my airport KGSP about a week ago (way to small for an-124) it hogged up that runway...
I've been trying to find more information on this since this story first broke here. Does anyone know of any sources that are reporting anything there? I can't seem to find anything on it, and the Antonov website looks like it still lists the AN-225, perhaps someone should try emailing them directly and ask.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
According to what I've read on the An-225, there is a second airframe, but it's pretty much gutted, and the engines were removed. I think the airframe is sound, so if they had to strip the damaged plane, they might have a flyable -225 again...but I don't know if the cost would outweigh the benefit. Oh, well, doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for a model of this great plane.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Steve
Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or imbeciles who really mean it. Mark Twain
I don't think the second airframe was built to the point where it could be gutted.
Somewhere on A.net, there is a picture of the AN-148 rollout ceremony. If you look in the hangar behind it, you can see the airframe behind it, not even painted or any wings attached yet.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Maybe "gutted" wasn't correct...what instrumentation and other features that had been installed were removed before it could be completed. The engines had been installed for testing and fit, but removed also.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Steve
Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or imbeciles who really mean it. Mark Twain
Somewhere on A.net, there is a picture of the AN-148 rollout ceremony. If you look in the hangar behind it, you can see the airframe behind it, not even painted or any wings attached yet.
It was disassembled from a completed airframe when they mothballed it. They hadn't painted it yet.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Steve
Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or imbeciles who really mean it. Mark Twain
I have some Close Friends who currently work "in that neck of the woods" and have e-mailed both of them about the news and any further info. they could provide, but have yet to hear back from them as yet.
Another e-mail to a colleague who does contract work with Antov and he replied that although he is currently in UK, didn't get news on this incident.
Do we know who the original source of the info. as "reliable"??
what exacally happened it seems like they could lift the nose up and fix it... there was a problem reported on an-124 just like this. It took about 2 weeks to fix.
Do we know who the original source of the info. as "reliable"??
Sorry for going quiet since starting this thread - I've been away.
My source is a Safety Officer here where I work who knows the Airport Operations Manager at Ras-Al-Khaimah airport, whom I have also met when I visited there last year.
I am still bugging 'my source' to forward to me the pictures that I saw on his computer of the aftermath of the incident. Not sure why he isn't doing it
The picture posted by JohnnyEagle looks like it was taken from the airport restaurant overlooking the ramp/apron. It was certainly after the incident - notice the large pool of red hydraulic fluid on the ground just behind the nose door opening.
I understand that the plane is indeed 'up and flying' after some time on the ground but I doubt if it is back in service yet.
Apparently a repair team was flown in from the Antonov factory in a An124, worked in shifts 24hrs a day for a week or so.
I'd heard that Soviet aircraft were built like tractors and were all bolted together and it does seem to be so! They unbolted the damaged floor section, including the nosegear attachment points, and refitted a new section and replacement nosegears. Somewhere in the process they were able to unload the cargo, which was a giant generator of some kind.
The cargo door was closed sufficiently for a ferry flight and it was flown, unpressurised, out of RAK presumeably back to the factory in the Ukraine.
Lets hope we see news of it back in revenue service in the not too distant future.
I will post pictures if I can ever get hold of any.
Dave
Last edited by hkgdave; 04-17-2007 at 03:07 PM.
Reason: Minor editing
Well, that would require a whole re-engineering of the wings. Plus, the original reason why they have 6 engines, if I remember eveyrthing I've heard in a documentary I saw a few years ago about this bird, was that they only use 4 of the six engines on it most of the times unless they're flying with certain conditions. The other two are usually used just in case one of them failed.
As for this bird retiring? Long as someone needs extremly oversized cargo carried in a large plane that can handle that much. Only thing that can stop it are enviromental policies. There are many aircraft still flying that are in their 50s and 60s in regular commercial service.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
i've heard (and dont quote me on this) that the other An225 is in such a condition that it can still be built. there was talk about it, and how the US could really use the An225.
This really is such terrible news for fans of this magnificent aircraft. I had the privelege to work with this aircraft not so long ago as a flight planner for Antonov and having come from a passenger airline background it never ceased to amaze me with its capabilities. Even more ironic is that fact that I recently worked in Ras Al Khaimah, I never thought that it would be the place that the Mirya would almost meet it's end. Some people seem surprised that it was down in that neck of the woods but to be honest it's not all that surprising as alot of cargo crews, russians/eastern europeans especially, tech stop here. It is more than suitable for the 225 due to the long runway and abscence of performance limiting terrain. If she was heavily loaded too RKT is about one tech stop away from her home base of GYD(Gostomel) in Ukraine.
Last I heard about the sister ship, she was in no condition to fly and was being used as a test bed for various things and there was no real concrete plan to take her out and get her in shape to fly.
It will be a real shame if they don't get her airworthy again, she has a unique niche market ability and alot of fans who hope to see her flying again soon.
Well, that would require a whole re-engineering of the wings. Plus, the original reason why they have 6 engines, if I remember eveyrthing I've heard in a documentary I saw a few years ago about this bird, was that they only use 4 of the six engines on it most of the times unless they're flying with certain conditions. The other two are usually used just in case one of them failed.
As for this bird retiring? Long as someone needs extremly oversized cargo carried in a large plane that can handle that much. Only thing that can stop it are enviromental policies. There are many aircraft still flying that are in their 50s and 60s in regular commercial service.
regineering no doubt. and yea, this bird will be flying for many years if the airframe is still able to handle all those cycles.
wow so it supposedly flies on 4? those two other engines must be creating much drag.
i would love to see someone take up another project to build a transport such as this one, someone with a bit more money than the russian projects. i bet it would be more efficient too without those Buran rakes on top or maybe with todays efficiency and reliability of engines, just 4 engines to power the beast.
ill dream on.
I will post pictures if I can ever get hold of any.
It was like getting blood out of a stone but finally I persuaded him to email me some of the pictures he had of the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Note the pool of hydraulic fluid on the ground. Note also the fracture on the removed nosegear leg.
Dave
Does anyone know whats the current status of this Monster, last i know that it was flown 2 weeks after the incident to Ukraine for repairs, this was 2-3 months ago now. I would highly appreciate if we can get latest on it. Thanks
That very good news and thanks for posting it Edmund.
Can you give a link to the other bulletin board, please? I'd like to read the follow ups to the original news.
Thanks
Dave
NOW don't you folks think there should be 400 scale diecast model be built of this beast!, i can tell you 5 versions from one mould that could be produced right from 1989 till now! , now wouldn't it be hotcake seller!!!
Earns contract to send giant turbines by air to Kuwait
By Jane Roberts
Contact
July 3, 2007
If you drive by Memphis International Airport today, you'll likely see the Antonov 225 -- the largest plane in the world -- ready for takeoff tonight to Kuwait.
What you probably missed is the hours of jockeying and winching it took to get a 133-metric-ton turbine in the plane's belly late Monday.
If you want 1/200 models of the AN-225 and the smaller AN-125 these are available in very limited numbers (made in Russia by Eastern Models) from Collectors Aircraft Models in London. I have the AN-225 model and it is superb! These aircraft are available in a range of liveries but beware, the AN-225 cost me $1,000.00! But well worth it! The AN-125 models are circa 1/2 of this price.
Man we really need a piece of her in 1:400. I mean come on she is the biggest ever built meaning whatever she is she is an important one in aviation history regardless of wether or not you like Russian built aircrafts.
I Agree with the poster who suggested an AN-225 representation; especially in 1/200 scale. I have the AN-124 in 1/400 and its great; but the Condor and Mirya in 1/200 would be outstanding! I'm waiting for an IL-96 in 1/200 die-cast that does not cost an arm and a leg. I've even contacted friends in Russia about this but the only thing available was factory models which were very $$$$$$.
I also have that Revell-Germany 1/144 scale AN-124 which I have not made yet. It would be a grand project to custom-build an AN-225 from that kit.
I guess we shall see what comes next model-wise.
AN225 rumoured to be landing at East midlands UK today.
Got stuck in traffic on Motorway so missed it landing . Rumoured to go out at 1:30 but still had ramp attached. Weather rubbish so best shot.
AN225 rumoured to be landing at East midlands UK today.
Got stuck in traffic on Motorway so missed it landing . Rumoured to go out at 1:30 but still had ramp attached. Weather rubbish so best shot.
WOW! Fantastic Photo!
I wish that plane would come pay us a visit out here in the US Northwest(Portland International Airport). We get the AN-124s and even SU-27s from time to time, but never the AN-225. Anyway; Thanks For the Photo.
AN-225 Mriya News
Re: AN-225 Mriya News
That is such horrible news to hear. As for the 2nd Mirya, Its fuseluage is still in a hangar in Ukraine waiting to be produced. If it is to be built now, it is to replace this good ol' plane. Very strange that only source about this is you though. Nothing on A.net (after a quick search) about this and I know this would show up on A.net pretty quick.
. Rumoured to go out at 1:30 but still had ramp attached. Weather rubbish so best shot. 
Stunning. 
Awesome. 
Your Privacy Choices
