World's second-largest aircraft lands at Austin Straubel

ASHWAUBENON - A huge plane made a big landing Saturday, carrying gigantic cargo headed for an area manufacturer.

The Antonov 124 landed just before noon. The Russian-made plane weighs nearly 200 tons. It's the largest aircraft ever to land in Green Bay.

Onlookers crowded around fences by Austin Straubel International Airport.

"It's just so cool to see the second-largest aircraft in the world in Green Bay,” said Nancy Macco, shivering, yet excited.

They were eager to take in this massive sight.

"It's pretty amazing. I'd love a ride in it, that's for sure!" Macco gushed.

The plane's wingspan: 240 feet. It's 226 feet long.

If it landed at Lambeau Field, it would nearly take up the entire football field.

"It's a very unique aircraft. It actually has two internal cranes inside the aircraft,” said Alan Timmerman, CEO of Jet Air.

Jet Air executives said they received a special request for the landing a few weeks ago.

"It's coming from Hahn, Germany. It's unloading cargo going up to Marinette. It's carrying a crew of 23 and 100 thousand pounds of cargo,” said Timmerman.

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin says this heavy cargo will be part of the USS Milwaukee, a Littoral Combat Ship being built at Marinette Marine.

The company tells FOX 11 these are parts that help with the ship's propulsion.

"We needed a 100-ton crane, they needed three semis to get all that onto a ramp at a TSA airport, and provide security all at the same time, which was an issue,” said Timmerman.

Before it could undergo the four hour unloading process, the Antonov 124's cargo had to be inspected by customs officials. They say it's unusual to see a shipment of this magnitude at this airport.

"Normally, cargo in Green Bay comes via rail or ship on the ocean. Whether the cargo could have come in a big ship if the lake was open, that could be. But the cargo is too large to be put on the rail,” said Chad Shulfer.

After the parts are unloaded, the Antonov 124 will spend the night on the runway. Its crew will stay in a nearby hotel.

Sunday morning, it'll take off: Refueled with 45 thousand gallons of jet fuel.That's a cost of roughly $143,000.

"It's probably the biggest fuel order in the history of Green Bay,” said Timmerman.

"It's amazing the thing can actually fly,” said Thomas Ward, another onlooker.

After the behemoth Antonov 124 departs, those who saw it land say they will remember the massive jet for years to come.