The CN-235 aircraft

LONDON, England -- The CASA CN-235 that crashed in Turkey killing 37 people is often used by armed forces for emergency evacuations of injured troops.

The aircraft can carry up to 53 paratroopers and is capable of operating from short, unpaved runways. For medical evacuation missions, it accommodates up to 21 stretchers with four attendants.

CASA says the CN-235 has an excellent reputation for mission versatility, minimal support requirements and safe and reliable operation in all kinds of environments.

A high-wing, pressurised, twin turboprop tactical transport aircraft, it has a maximum cruising speed of 455 km/h.

There are over 230 CN-235 aircraft in service and it is in military service in more than 20 countries.

The CASA CN-235 -- which have a combined operating experience in excess of 600,000 flight hours -- have gained civil certification by safety bodies in Europe, the U.S. and Australia.

The new CN-235 Series 300 has higher rated pressurisation, which allows cruising at 25,000 feet, with a cabin altitude of 7,900 feet.

Spanish company Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A (CASA) owns the CN-235 aircraft. It was initially the result of a cooperative programme between CASA and ITPN of Indonesia.

CASA, an aircraft design and manufacture company, was set up in 1923.