Antonov An-22 antei: World’s Largest Turboprop Transport Aircraft Lost in Tragic Crash
The world of legendary transport aircraft experienced a major loss on December 9,2025. An antonov an-22 “Antei” – currently considered the largest turboprop transport aircraft in the world – crashed tragically near the Uvod Reservoir and Ivankovo Village,killing all seven crew members.
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The ill-fated Antonov An-22 belonged to the Russian Ministry of Defense with registration RF-08832. The aircraft reportedly crashed during a post-maintenance flight test. As a Cold War era transport aircraft,the An-22 population is already very limited. Russia is recorded as operating 11 units, while Ukraine, the country of origin, operates only one unit, which was reportedly destroyed in the early stages of Russia’s military operations.
the most striking aspect of this incident is the video footage showing the plane not only crashing, but disintegrating in mid-air (in-flight breakup). The video depicts the aircraft rapidly losing altitude. During the descent, it was clear that the empennage (tail) of the aircraft buckled and than separated from the fuselage.
This structural destruction of the tail caused a total loss of aerodynamic control, resulting in the remainder of the fuselage disintegrating into several pieces as it plunged to the ground (reservoir).
❗️🛬🇷🇺 – On December 9, 2025, a Russian Ministry of Defense Antonov an-22 “Antei” heavy transport aircraft (registration RF-08832) crashed during a post-maintenance test flight in Russia’s Ivanovo region, near the Uvod Reservoir and the village of Ivankovo. All seven crew members… https://t.co/XOupS9bU3e
– 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) https://twitter.com/theinformant_x/status/2000177966144217405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Before the crash, the flight crew reportedly directed the plane away from populated areas, preventing casualties on the ground. A Russian Air Force inquiry is ongoing, with initial indications pointing to a technical malfunction.
The aircraft involved in this incident has a long operational history. The An-22 first flew in 1965, meaning the plane that crashed had been in service for more than 50 years.
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