[1] The Antonov An-2 was designed to meet a 1940s Soviet Ministry of Forestry requirement to replace the smaller Polikarpov Po-2, which was used in large numbers in both agricultural and utility roles.

Antonov designed a large single bay biplane of all-metal construction, with an enclosed cockpit and a cabin with seats for twelve passengers.

The second prototype was fitted with a more powerful Shvetsov ASh-62 engine, which allowed the aircraft's payload to be increased from 1,300 to 2,140 kg (2,870 to 4,720 lb), and in this form saw production.

[citation needed] The An-2 is commonly used as a light utility transport, parachute drop aircraft, agricultural work and other tasks suited to a large slow biplane.

[1] During 2013, Antonov announced that it had flown a new An-2 version, the An-2-100, with a three-blade reversible propeller and a 1,100 kW (1,500 shp) Motor Sich MS-14 turboprop running on kerosene rather than Avgas, which is no longer produced in CIS countries.

[9] The Siberian Research Institute of Aviation (SIBNIA) test flew a modified An-2 with winglets and a carbon fibre wing structure.

It is fitted with a pneumatic brake system similar to those used on heavy trucks to stop on short runways, along with an air line attached to the compressor, so the pressure in the tires and shock absorbers can be adjusted.

[1] The operating handbook does not explicitly specify a stall speed, stating instead: "If the engine quits in instrument conditions or at night, the pilot should pull the control column full aft and keep the wings level.

"[1] The low stall speed makes it possible for the aircraft to fly backwards relative to the ground under high wind conditions while under control.

Using an AK-47, the American crew (Ted Moore Captain, Glen Wood Kicker) succeeded in shooting down one of the An-2s while the second aircraft was forced down by combined ground and air fire, eventually crashing into a mountain.

[16] During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Azerbaijan operated unmanned An-2s for surveillance and bombing of Armenian defenses,[17][18][19] however the type of the drone was unknown as of October 2020.

[20] Armenian forces revealed footage of the alleged shootdown of an Azerbaijani An-2, according to video evidence at least 11 An-2 have been destroyed, with 10 confirmed as shot down and one crashing after takeoff.

The An-2 was used as a short-range airliner, and in Estonia, made regular flights between the towns of Kuressaare and Kärdla, which are on separate islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

[citation needed] Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, most airlines in these regions have been retiring their An-2s, as some were over 40 years old, as well as a result of the decline in the production of avgas to fuel the type.

[1][5] High noise levels, maintenance costs and fuel consumption[5] has rendered them obsolete for the majority of commercial routes in Europe, but the large number available mean that unit prices are low in comparison to alternatives (as little as US$30,000 for a serviceable example).

[55] One of the most recent accidents occurred around 13:30 on 14 November 2022 in the Everglades, when an An-2, which had been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection was being transported to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and overturned during a forced landing caused by an engine failure.

Timofei Shovkunov stole an An-2 and flew it directly into his apartment building in Voroshilovgrad (now Luhansk) on March 27, 1972, apparently despondent after his wife having left along with his son the day before.

[56] In the third known post-WWII act of suicide by pilot, on September 26, 1976, Russian national Vladimir Serkov made an unauthorized takeoff with an An-2 (Reg # USSR-79868) from Novosibirsk-Severny Airport.

[57][58] Data from Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes[2]General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era