On 12th July, a Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed in Russia during a post-maintenance test flight, killing all three crew members on board.
The Gazpromavia Sukhoi Superjet 100-95, with registration RA-89049, was operating a ferry flight 4G9608 from Lukhovitsy Airfield to Moscow Vnukovo with three crew members on board.
However, as the aircraft was climbing through approximately 3,000 feet after departing from Lukhovitsy’s runway 28, it lost height and impacted the ground amidst a forest near Apraksino/Kolomna.
The crash site is approximately 56 nautical miles southeast of Moscow Vnukovo, and about 16 nautical miles past runway 28 end at Lukhovitsy, as reported by the Aviation Herald.
The aircraft crashed at about 14:58 local time (11:58 UTC), roughly seven minutes after departure. Tragically, all three crew members perished in the crash.
The Sukhoi Superjet had undergone major maintenance and had been stationed in Lukhovitsy since May 3rd, 2024, without any subsequent flights. It was operating its first flight post-maintenance. During the flight, the crew transmitted a distress signal.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft take off and then fall, followed by an explosion upon impact with the ground. It is the third air disaster involving a Sukhoi Superjet 100 since 2012.
Investigation
According to preliminary information from Russia’s Press Agency TASS, the aircraft likely suffered an engine failure. Moscow’s Transport Prosecution Office has initiated an investigation into the crash.
Russia’s Civil Aviation Authority, Rosaviatsia, confirmed the incident, stating that the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC/MAK) is also investigating. In a late evening update, Rosaviatsia reported that both black boxes from the aircraft had been recovered.
Russia’s Ministry of Transport (Rosaviatransnador) noted that the aircraft did not have permission to fly at the time of the incident. The IAC/MAK has formed a commission to investigate the crash, and the commission has already commenced its work.