IATA YK2ICAO YK42

Yakovlev Yak-42

Yakovlev

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Soviet short-to-medium range trijet airliner.

First flight

1975

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

120–168 passengers

Range

1,900–4,000 km

Engines

Three rear-mounted Lotarev D-36 turbofans

Status

Largely retired

The Yakovlev Yak-42 is a Soviet-designed narrow-body trijet airliner developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the Tupolev Tu-134 on short-to-medium range domestic routes. It features a rear-mounted three-engine configuration and a T-tail design, capable of operating from shorter, less-developed airfields common across the Soviet Union. The aircraft entered service with Aeroflot in 1980 and was produced in several variants, including the stretched Yak-42D with increased fuel capacity and range. Production took place at the Saratov Aviation Plant in Russia. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Yak-42 continued operating with numerous successor airlines across the former Soviet republics. The type suffered several high-profile accidents, contributing to its declining reputation. Most operators have retired or significantly reduced their fleets, and the aircraft is now largely out of service.

Notable operators

Aeroflot was the primary operator; later operators included Yamal Airlines, Saratov Airlines, and various other post-Soviet carriers.

Notable facts

›The prototype first flew on 7 March 1975.
›Production totalled approximately 183 aircraft.
›The Yak-42D variant offered extended range through additional fuel capacity.
›A 2011 crash near Yaroslavl killed the Kontinental HC ice hockey team, drawing international attention.
›The aircraft was designed to operate from unpaved or short runways typical of Soviet regional airports.