'Ukraine'; NATO reporting name: Cat) is a four-engined turboprop passenger transport aircraft designed in the Soviet Union.
[1] The new aircraft was displayed to the public for the first time in July 1957; the design was approved for mass production after testing was completed in June 1959.
The inefficient use of cabin volume contributed greatly to the low payload/TOW ratio which was much lower than that of the contemporary Ilyushin Il-18, but which was still higher than the Tupolev Tu-104.
[1] Powered by Ivchenko AI-20K engines the An-10A demonstrated superior performance and an increased maximum payload of 14.5 Tonnes (31,970 lb).
Following results of flight tests and at least two fatal crashes, an effective tailplane deicing system was retrofitted to all remaining aircraft.
[1] A total of 104 aircraft were built, including the prototype and static test airframes, entering service with the Ukrainian Civil Aviation Directorate of Aeroflot from 27 April 1959,[1] proving popular due to large cargo volume (when fitted with reduced seating) and excellent field performance, making the aircraft suitable for use on small undeveloped airfields.
[1] On 26 February 1960, at Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport, CCCP-11180 crashed due to reduced longitudinal stability and control authority caused by icing of the tailplane.