Watch Pilot Assess Damage to World’s Largest Cargo Plane
In a video walk-around of the charred wreckage of the Antonov An-225 Mriya, a former pilot of the world’s largest operational aircraft has offered his damage analysis of the one-of-a-kind jet.
With a 290-foot wingspan, the Antonov An-225 was the largest operational aircraft in the world. [Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
A former pilot conducted a video damage analysis of the Antonov An-225 Mriya, confirming extensive destruction, bullet holes, and charred remains from battles at Ukraine's Gostomel Airport.
While much of the aircraft is severely damaged, the pilot noted some components like three engines, certain flaps, and parts of the landing gear might be salvageable.
The Antonov Company has launched a fundraising campaign to "revive" or replace the unique An-225 Mriya, citing a lack of funds for its reconstruction.
In a video walk-around of the charred wreckage of the Antonov An-225 Mriya, a former pilot of the world’s largest operational aircraft offers his damage analysis of the one-of-a-kind jet.
“I thought things would be better here,” says the pilot, Dmytro Antonov (no relation), in a YouTube video purportedly shot last Friday. “There is so much damage and a lot of bullet holes.”
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Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.
