Ilyushin Il-12
| Company type | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1943 |
| Founder | Ilyushin Design Bureau |
| Products | Twin-engine transport aircraft |
| Parent | Ilyushin |
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The Ilyushin Il-12 (NATO reporting name: Coach) is a twin-engine transport aircraft from the Soviet Union, designed in the mid-1940s to serve short and medium-range airline routes as well as military transport functions.
Design and development
Originating as an independent project by the Ilyushin Design Bureau in late 1943, the Il-12 was conceived to replace the Lisunov Li-2, itself a licensed adaptation of the Douglas DC-3. Early concepts envisioned a 29-seat airliner powered by four supercharged Tumansky M-88V engines, each delivering approximately 1000 horsepower, similar to those used on the Ilyushin Il-4 bomber. The design included a pressurized cabin intended to allow cruising altitudes between 6000 and 7000 meters and achieve a range near 5000 kilometers at speeds close to 400 km/h. Notably, it was planned to incorporate a tricycle landing gear arrangement, marking the first such implementation by the Ilyushin design office.
By 1944, significant alterations were made: the initial four-engine setup was replaced with two Charomskiy ACh-31 V-12 diesel engines, each rated at around 1900 horsepower for takeoff. The pressurized fuselage concept was abandoned, reducing passenger capacity to 27. These changes led to lower cruising altitudes and consequently diminished speed and range. The Il-12 conducted its maiden flight on August 15, 1945. Soon after, it was decided to equip the aircraft with Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engines instead of continuing development of the ACh-31 diesels, due to concerns over their reliability and maintenance intervals for commercial operations. The updated prototype powered by these radial engines first flew on January 9, 1946.
During testing phases, the Il-12 exhibited vibration issues and unsatisfactory performance when operating on a single engine. Additionally, to prevent tipping during loading caused by center-of-gravity challenges, a support strut was required beneath the rear fuselage. Despite these drawbacks, test pilots commended its superior handling and performance relative to the Li-2, which supported proceeding with serial production. A critical safety concern arose from the use of magnesium components near the engines; in case of fire, this material could exacerbate damage to wing structures. This hazard was tragically demonstrated in a fatal crash near Voronezh in 1949 involving an engine fire. Following investigation, magnesium parts were replaced with aluminum alloys and fire suppression systems were upgraded. To mitigate risks during takeoff with potential engine failure, maximum takeoff weight limits were imposed temporarily reducing passenger capacity to 18.
The Il-12 is characterized as a low-wing cantilever monoplane featuring a single vertical stabilizer and rudder alongside retractable tricycle landing gear. It is powered by two Shvetsov ASh-82FN radial engines generating approximately 1850 horsepower at takeoff and 1630 horsepower at an altitude of about 1550 meters, driving four-bladed propellers. The spacious fuselage includes eight rectangular windows per side. Crew complement consisted of three members while configurations allowed for transport of up to 32 soldiers or parachutists or equivalent cargo volumes. The civilian variant was designed for up to 32 passengers but typically carried only around 18 in Aeroflot service due to operational constraints, making passenger operations economically challenging.
In total, production reached 663 units before being succeeded by the improved Ilyushin Il-14.
Operational history
The Il-12 made its public debut on 1 May 1947, showcased during the annual May Day aerial parade over Red Square in Moscow. By 20 May, performance evaluations had been finalized, and the Il-12 commenced its inaugural scheduled passenger flights with Aeroflot in June 1947. Its first international route began in 1948, operating between Moscow and Sofia. Starting from 1954, the Il-12 also served Aeroflot’s routes to Paris.
Within the Soviet Union, the Il-12 was assigned to Aeroflot’s lengthiest service: the Moscow-Khabarovsk route, which entailed a 28-hour journey including five refueling stops. From 1956 onwards, specially adapted Il-12s equipped for ice runway operations supported Soviet missions to Antarctica. Aeroflot maintained Il-12 operations on select routes until late 1970.
Export sales
The initial foreign buyer of the Il-12 was LOT Polish Airlines, which ordered five Il-12B models after the aircraft was exhibited at the Poznan Fair in Poland during spring 1948. Subsequently, Czech Airlines procured ten units between 1949 and 1951, while TAROM of Romania acquired some from 1949. Additionally, at least twenty aircraft were delivered to CAAC in China.
Variants
- Il-12A : Standard passenger configuration typically seating 27, with alternative layouts offering 6, 11, 16, 18, or 21 seats.
- Il-12B : Introduced in 1948; featured an enhanced de-icing system, an extended nosewheel strut, and a minor dorsal fin fillet.
- Il-12D : Military transport variant for the Soviet Air Force, introduced in 1948; capable of carrying 38 paratroopers or up to 3700 kg of military cargo.
- Il-12P : Passenger model accommodating 32 seats.
- Il-12T : Designed for Arctic transport missions; included a large cargo door on the left side of the fuselage.
Accidents and incidents
Template:Overly detailed Out of the total production of 663 Il-12 aircraft, 56 were lost due to accidents resulting in a combined death toll of 465.
1940s
- 1 July 1947
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (registration CCCP-Л1317) crashed during takeoff from Vnukovo Airport after losing speed caused by an unexplained engine malfunction; four of six occupants perished.
- 19 September 1947
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1332) was involved in a collision with a crashing North American B-25 (CCCP-И850) that had lost control during an emergency landing at Vnukovo Airport; both planes were destroyed by fire but no fatalities occurred.
- 24 November 1947
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1356) overran the runway on departure from Koltsovo Airport; all six crew members survived. The aircraft was overloaded by approximately 330 kg (728 lb) and had not been adequately de-iced.
- 1 December 1947
- A Polyarnaya Aviatsiya Il-12 (CCCP-Н439) conducted an unauthorized positioning flight from Kimry to Moscow but force-landed near Taldom (about 27 km (17 mi) south of Borki Airfield) after left engine power loss caused by an oil leak; all five crew survived.
- 18 December 1947
- Aeroflot Flight 6, operated by an Il-12P (CCCP-Л1343), stalled and crashed near Severny Airport while attempting a landing following a go-around due to engine failure; seven of twenty-five onboard died.
- 2 September 1948
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1465) crashed shortly after takeoff from Severny Airport when the flight engineer reduced engine power leading to a descent; a propeller blade detached and pierced the fuselage, resulting in one fatality among twenty onboard.
- 9 September 1948
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1427) crashed near Baimakovo Aerodrome during a training flight after losing control; all four crew members died. The pilot was practicing single-engine flight when premature feathering of the propeller by the instructor during a go-around with flaps extended caused loss of control and a dive.
- 12 October 1948
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1450) vanished over the Caucasus Mountains near Yevlakh with ten people onboard. After reaching Baku, adverse weather prevented continuation to Tbilisi. The following day’s flight departed without updated weather checks along the route. The aircraft climbed to 3,000 m (9,800 ft), encountered navigation difficulties due to poor radio beacon signals, attempted to return to Baku but disappeared after last radio contact near Yevlakh. The wreckage has never been recovered.
- 23 December 1948
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1731) collided mid-air near Valuyevo with an Aeroflot Douglas DC-3 (TS-62) (CCCP-Л861) being ferried between Vnukovo and Bykovo Airports; all twelve occupants on both aircraft were killed. The newly delivered Il-12 was initially assigned to an Aeroflot Georgian crew who failed to arrive on time, so it was handed over to an Uzbek crew instead. The Il-12 departed for Tashkent via Lyubertsy without ATC knowledge of this change. ATC assumed it would land at Vnukovo. The collision severed both engines on the Il-12 and sheared off the DC-3’s tail section. Faulty air traffic control procedures were identified as contributing factors.
- 19 January 1949
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1381) crashed shortly after departing from Stalino Airport due to altitude loss following engine trouble; eight of nine onboard died along with two individuals on the ground when it struck a house.
- 13 May 1949
- Aeroflot Flight 17, operated by an Il-12P (CCCP-Л1791), crashed during descent into Novosibirsk amid adverse weather conditions caused by loss of control after a lightning strike; all twenty-five onboard perished.
- 21 July 1949
- Aeroflot Flight 5, an Il-12P (CCCP-Л1714), crashed and caught fire in forested terrain near Marga while attempting an emergency landing following engine fire; thirteen out of fourteen onboard died.
- 20 August 1949
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1434) crashed near Polukotelnikovo after descending into a downdraft causing altitude loss; eight out of eleven onboard were killed.
- 25 August 1949
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1844) impacted Mount Kabanya (approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Kabansk) following an unexplained descent from 2,400 m (7,900 ft) down to 1,200 m (3,900 ft), resulting in total loss of all fourteen onboard.
- 20 September 1949
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1462) crashed near Savasleyka during an attempted forced landing after engine failure; three of four crew members lost their lives.
1950s
- 19 July 1950
- During a training flight near Tbilisi Airport, an Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1340) collided with the summit of a 175 m hill after the pilot strayed from the glide path and approach procedure, resulting in a crash that claimed four lives among the 11 occupants. The flight carried six unauthorized passengers, all employees of Tbilisi Airport. Notably, the hill was absent from the flight chart.
- 30 July 1950
- Shortly after departure from Karaganda Airport, an Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1803) crashed due to loss of control following an engine failure, causing the deaths of all 25 aboard. Six minutes post-takeoff, the crew reported failure of engine number one and initiated a return. While maneuvering for final approach, the aircraft banked left toward the failed engine side, decelerated during landing gear extension, lost control, spiraled downward, and crashed. Pre-existing issues with the left engine before and after maintenance were not disclosed by the test flight crew.
- 11 August 1950
- On approach to Koltsovo Airport in foggy conditions, Aeroflot Flight 8 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1706) descended below the glide path due to pilot error, struck trees, and crashed in a meadow. Two out of five crew members died while all 22 passengers survived.
- 9 January 1951
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1811) crashed into the Black Sea near Tuapse after a fuel tank exploded following a lightning strike, killing all eight on board. The storm encountered was unpredicted; a warning was issued approximately 40 minutes post-crash.
- 13 March 1951
- Near Koltsovo Airport, an Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1319) experienced altitude loss during approach and crashed without fatalities.
- 29 March 1951
- During a test flight near Vnukovo Airport, an Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1313) crashed after multiple course changes caused by spatial disorientation linked to a faulty radio compass. Three of four crew members perished; all four passengers survived.
- 14 November 1951
- After departing Nikolayevsk-on-Amur, an Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1360) lost altitude and crashed due to pilot error; all 19 occupants survived. Moist snow accumulated on the fuselage during taxi and engine testing delayed takeoff, causing vibrations misinterpreted by the flight engineer as engine roughness. This led to overfueling of the left engine and subsequent power loss.
- 17 November 1951
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1775) crashed shortly after takeoff from Novosibirsk Severny Airport due to wing icing, resulting in 23 fatalities.
- 21 February 1952
- During a training flight from Baratayevka Airport, an Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1849) crashed shortly after takeoff owing to an excessively forward center of gravity and pilot error. The aircraft bounced twice upon touchdown; a detached blade from the left propeller penetrated the fuselage, killing one passenger and seriously injuring another. The aircraft was repaired and later served as a cargo freighter until 1964.
- 5 April 1952
- Aeroflot Flight 5, operated by an Il-12P (CCCP-Л1308), lost control and crashed shortly after taking off from Magdagachi Airport due to an unsecured clamp left on the left aileron.
- 25 April 1952
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-Л1312) crashed near Karmanovo during training simulating cloud flying with one engine out and its propeller feathered. Loss of airspeed led to a left turn and eventual crash that killed eight out of nine crew members. Crew errors were identified as contributing factors.
- 18 July 1952
- A LOT Polish Airlines Il-12B (SP-LHC) was written off following a landing crash at Warsaw.
- 23 August 1952
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (CCCP-Л1488) executed a forced landing near Chlya in a valley between Lake Oryol and Lake Chlya after part of a right propeller blade fractured and pierced the fuselage seventy minutes into flight. The damage severed hydraulic lines and control cables; shrapnel injured the flight mechanic’s legs and embedded in an onboard Po-2 wing. The crew could not shut down or feather the affected engine before landing. The flight mechanic later died from blood loss. Investigation revealed improper repair of the propeller blade during previous service with Dalstroi Aviation. The aircraft was repaired and flew until 1963.
- 5 October 1952
- A mid-air collision near Skvoritsy occurred between Aeroflot Flight 376 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1328) and Aeroflot Flight 381 (Douglas TS-62 CCCP-Л1055), attributed to air traffic control errors, resulting in total fatalities of all 24 occupants on both planes.
- 23 January 1953
- Shortly after departing Kazan Airport, Aeroflot Flight 22 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1435) collided mid-air with an Aeroflot Lisunov Li-2 (CCCP-Л4582) due to air traffic control mistakes, killing everyone aboard both aircraft totaling eleven people.
- 30 April 1953
- Aeroflot Flight 35 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1777) ditched into the Volga River on approach to Kazan Airport following dual engine failure caused by bird strikes involving ducks. One duck struck near the windshield damaging engine magneto switches that short-circuited electrical systems leading to engine shutdowns. Propellers could not be feathered due to insufficient generator power. One passenger died among twenty-three on board.
- 14 June 1953
- Aeroflot Flight 229 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1375) crashed on a hillside nine miles northeast of Zugdidi after encountering wing failure flying through a thunderstorm, resulting in eighteen fatalities including Georgian actress Nato Vachnadze.
- 27 July 1953
- A Soviet Navy Il-12 was downed by a USAF F-86F Sabre fighter near Mao-erh-Shan during the Korean War’s final day, killing all twenty-one aboard. The F-86 pilot identified it as a North Korean Il-12 prior to engagement; it was actually a Soviet Navy transport flying through North Korean airspace en route to Vladivostok.
- 14 October 1953
- Aeroflot Flight 9 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1727) stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff from Irkutsk Airport when pilots misidentified inner marker lights as an approaching aircraft head-on. Four of six crew died while all twenty-two passengers survived.
- 27 October 1953
- Aeroflot Flight 783 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1765) crashed near Magadan-13 Airport due to wing icing combined with overloading conditions, causing twenty-two deaths among twenty-seven occupants.
- 4 November 1953
- Aeroflot Flight 5 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1367) impacted terrain on approach to Magdagachi Airport because of an improperly set altimeter, killing all five crew members.
- July 1954
- Flight mechanic V. Polyakov commandeered an Il-12 at Novosibirsk intending to ram his unfaithful wife’s residence. He circled over the city for four hours performing sharp maneuvers around buildings until two fighters scrambled with orders to divert or shoot down his plane. After calming down, Polyakov landed safely at the airport where he was arrested but received only three years imprisonment following Sergey Ilyushin’s petition demonstrating that such extreme flying was feasible for the Il-12.
- 27 September 1954
- Aeroflot Flight 10 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1365) collided with trees and crashed short of Severny Airport’s runway amid poor visibility conditions, resulting in twenty-nine fatalities—the deadliest accident involving this aircraft type.
- 28 October 1954
- Aeroflot Flight 136 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1789) disappeared en route from Irkutsk to Krasnoyarsk and Moscow carrying nineteen or twenty people onboard. The wreckage was discovered accidentally in June 1955 on Mount Sivukha in Krasnoyarsk Territory after strong winds had diverted it off course.
- 5 December 1954
- Aeroflot Flight 98 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1320) crashed near Pervomaiski while attempting an emergency landing following engine trouble caused by burnout of an air self-start valve on cylinder ten due to inadequate maintenance. Misinterpretation led crew to shut down what they believed was an engine fire. Pilot mistakes were also noted among causes. One fatality occurred among nineteen occupants.
- 4 March 1955
- A GUSMP-operated Il-12T (CCCP-Н479) performed a forced landing near Kepino due to an engine fire that caused separation of components. Four out of five crew died while all twenty passengers survived.
- 2 July 1955
- At Nagurskoye Air Base, a Polyarnaya Aviatsiya Il-12 (CCCP-Н480) suffered landing gear damage when it touched down on snow-covered runway sections not cleared for landing. No casualties resulted.
- 9 September 1955
- Aeroflot Flight 5 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1359) was lost near Komarovo due to tail section separation amid severe turbulence encountered flying through a thunderstorm, killing all seven onboard.
- 26 April 1956
- An Aeroflot aircraft presumed to be an Il-12 crashed at Berlin-Bohnsdorf after colliding with a church tower during foggy approach conditions, killing three out of six occupants.
- 8 September 1956
- A Polarnaya Aviatsiya Il-12P (CCCP-Н525) undershot Dikson Airport’s runway during landing because of pilot error resulting in broken landing gear but no fatalities.
- 24 November 1956
- A CSA Czechoslovak Airlines Il-12B (OK-DBP) crashed in a field near Eglisau while attempting return following an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Kloten Airport, killing all twenty-three onboard.
- 7 August 1957
- Aeroflot Flight 554 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1828) impacted terrain short of Magdagachi Airport runway after deviating from approach pattern amid strong winds, resulting in pilot fatality.
- 1 October 1957
- Aeroflot Flight 11 (Il-12P CCCP-Л1389) collided with trees atop a hill near Akshi following crew disorientation caused by deviation from planned route. Of twenty-eight occupants only one passenger survived.
- 27 October 1957
- An Aeroflot Il-12P (CCCP-N442) struck terrain at North Pole drifting station SP‑7 during low-altitude approach in adverse weather conditions. All six crew survived initial impact and were rescued after twenty-one hours by Mi‑4 helicopter but navigator succumbed five days later without regaining consciousness.
- 18 December 1957
- Aeroflot Flight 10 (Il‑12P CCCP‑Л1309), operating Khabarovsk–Magdagachi–Moscow service with twenty-seven onboard, disappeared mid-flight. Wreckage was located six months later on Mount Poktoy west of Birobidzhan showing extensive fire damage. Prior taxiing at Khabarovsk Airport had damaged rudder surfaces due to strong winds affecting this aircraft and another nearby Il‑12 parked adjacent.
- 9 June 1958
- Aeroflot Flight 105 (Il‑12P CCCP‑Л1364) collided with terrain while descending toward Magadan‑13 Airport in poor weather attributed to pilot error causing total loss of life among twenty-four onboard.
- 19 September 1958
- An Aeroflot Il‑12P (CCCP‑Л3904) impacted mountain slope within Lazo District due to fuel exhaustion following crew disorientation at night under adverse weather conditions resulting in death for all twenty-eight occupants.
- 15 December 1958
- At Cherepovets Airport, an Aeroflot Il‑12 (CCCP‑Л1467) overran runway upon late landing caused by pilot error without casualties.
- 24 December 1958
- An Aeroflot Il‑12T (CCCP‑Л1458) veered off runway during takeoff at Uralsk Airport when flight engineer panicked mistakenly shutting down engines fearing collision with nearby railway embankment. All five crew members survived unharmed.
- 9 January 1959
- GUSMP-operated Il‑12L (CCCP‑04249), equipped uniquely with ski landing gear for Antarctic operations, crashed short of Mirny Station runway collapsing landing gear on its maiden post-reassembly flight without casualties.
- 29 November 1959
- At Irkutsk Airport, an Aeroflot Il‑12 (CCCP‑01426) deviated from runway centerline upon landing causing it to touch down on grass adjacent to runway leading to crash that killed all four crew members aboard.
1960s
- 7 January 1960
- An Aeroflot Il-12 (registration CCCP-01438) experienced a hard landing at Leningrad Airport after the pilot struggled to identify the alternate runway, as the primary runway was undergoing snow clearance; all five crew members survived the incident.
- 21 July 1960
- Aeroflot Flight 414, operating an Il-12P (CCCP-01405), failed to become airborne on takeoff from Minsk Airport due to a water-saturated runway, crashing into a nearby motor depot. This accident resulted in seven fatalities among the 28 passengers and crew aboard. Additionally, a ground staff member died after being electrocuted when stepping on a fallen power cable.
Operators
- SKOGA
- CAAC Airlines
- People's Liberation Army Air Force – Acquired 42 Il-12 aircraft between 1950 and 1951, which were utilized for airlifting operations to Lhasa during the Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China. Some units were later converted into aerial survey planes. These aircraft were retired in 1986.
- LOT Polish Airlines – Purchased five units in 1949 (registrations SP-LHA through SP-LHE) and leased an additional aircraft (SP-LHF) from Czechoslovakia in 1952.
- Polish Air Force
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Specifications (Il-12)
Notes
Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim; Komissarov, Dmitry; Komissarov, Sergei. OKB Ilyushin: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-85780-187-3.
- Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft from 1875 - 1995. London: Osprey Aerospace, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
- Stroud, John. Soviet Transport Aircraft since 1945. London: Putnam, 1968. ISBN 0-370-00126-5.
- Stroud, John. "Post War Propliners: Ilyushin Il-12 and Il-14." Aeroplane Monthly, vol. 21, no. 9, September 1993, pp. 58–63. ISSN 0143-7240.
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