Tupolev Tu-134

Tupolev Tu-134. The Tupolev Tu-134 is a twin-engined, narrow-body jet airliner developed in the Soviet Union during the 1960s. Designed by the Tupolev design bureau, it became one of the most recognizable and widely used short- to medium-range aircraft across the Eastern Bloc and allied nations. Renowned for its distinctive rear-mounted Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines and a glazed nose for the navigator, it served extensively with the flag carrier Aeroflot and numerous other airlines for decades.

Design and development

The development of the Tu-134 was initiated in the early 1960s, driven by Aeroflot's need for a modern jet to replace older propeller-driven types like the Ilyushin Il-14. The design was heavily influenced by the French Sud Aviation Caravelle, particularly its rear-engine configuration, leading to a significant redesign of the earlier Tupolev Tu-124. The project was led by chief designer Leonid Selyakov under the oversight of Alexei Tupolev. Key features included the placement of two Soloviev D-30 turbofans on the rear fuselage, a T-tail, and a unique glazed nose section for a flight navigator, a role essential in the Soviet Union's less developed air traffic control infrastructure. The aircraft incorporated a sophisticated SFENA-licensed automatic flight control system from France, marking a notable instance of East-West trade during the Cold War. Certification trials were conducted rigorously, with the first prototype flying from Zhukovsky Airport.

Operational history

The Tu-134 entered commercial service with Aeroflot in September 1967 on the route from Moscow to Adler Airport serving Sochi. It quickly became the backbone of Soviet and allied medium-haul travel, known for its rugged performance in harsh climates across Siberia and remote republics. Beyond Aeroflot, it was a major export success, serving as a prestige aircraft for many national carriers within the Warsaw Pact, such as Interflug of East Germany, ČSA of Czechoslovakia, and LOT Polish Airlines. It was also widely used by the Soviet Air Force for staff transport. The type saw extensive use on international routes from the Eastern Bloc to destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Its operational life in Russia began to wane after the turn of the century due to noise regulations like ICAO Chapter 4, but a small number remain in service for government and charter roles in states like North Korea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Variants

The initial production model was the Tu-134, with a shorter fuselage and capacity for up to 72 passengers. The significantly improved Tu-134A, introduced in 1970, featured a 2.1-meter fuselage stretch, increased MTOW, more powerful Soloviev D-30 engines, and relocated the braking parachute from a tailcone to the empennage roots. The Tu-134B variant removed the navigator's station, incorporating a weather radar in a solid nose, and featured an updated cabin layout. Specialized versions included the Tu-134UBL trainer for crews of the Tupolev Tu-22M and Tupolev Tu-160 bombers, the Tu-134Sh navigation trainer, and the Tu-134LK used for Cosmonaut training. VIP configurations, often designated Tu-134A-3, were used by high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and leaders of allied nations.

Operators

The primary and largest operator was the Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot. Major national airline operators included Interflug (East Germany), ČSA (Czechoslovakia), LOT Polish Airlines (Poland), TAROM (Romania), Balkan Bulgarian Airlines (Bulgaria), and Malév (Hungary). It was also operated by air forces across the Eastern Bloc, including the Soviet Air Force, Polish Air Force, and East German Air Force. Beyond Europe, significant civil and military operators included Air Koryo (North Korea), Syrian Air, the Egyptian Air Force, and various airlines in Vietnam, Cuba, and Yugoslavia. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many aircraft were operated by new carriers in Russia, Ukraine, and other Commonwealth of Independent States nations.

Specifications (Tu-134A)

* **Crew:** 3–4 (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, navigator on early models) * **Capacity:** 72–84 passengers * **Length:** 37.05 m (121 ft 7 in) * **Wingspan:** 29.01 m (95 ft 2 in) * **Height:** 9.14 m (30 ft 0 in) * **Empty weight:** 29,500 kg (65,036 lb) * **Max takeoff weight:** 47,600 kg (104,940 lb) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Soloviev D-30 Series II turbofan engines, 66.68 kN (14,990 lbf) thrust each * **Maximum speed:** 885 km/h (550 mph, 478 kn) * **Cruise speed:** 750–850 km/h (470–530 mph) * **Range:** 1,900–3,200 km (1,200–2,000 mi) with max payload * **Service ceiling:** 11,900 m (39,000 ft)

Accidents and incidents

The Tu-134 has been involved in numerous accidents over its long service life. A notable early crash was the 1972 crash of Aeroflot Flight 558 in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which resulted in significant design changes to the fuel system. In 1979, Aeroflot Flight 5484 crashed at Vnukovo Airport, killing all aboard. A major disaster occurred in 1986 when Aeroflot Flight 6502 crashed at Kurumoch Airport after the pilot attempted to land blindfolded on a bet. Post-Soviet accidents include the 1994 crash of Iran Asseman Airlines Flight 746 near Saravan, and the 2004 bombing of Siberia Airlines Flight 1047, linked to the Second Chechen War. The deadliest incident was the 1984 crash of Aeroflot Flight 3352 at Omsk Airport, which killed 174 people.