A Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR crashed in the Kolomensky district of Moscow on July 12, 2024, during a test flight after scheduled repairs, Russian News Agency (TASS) has reported.
TASS made an announcement on Telegram regarding the accident, claiming that there were no passengers on board, only a crew of three – two pilots and a flight attendant – all three of whom have died.
The aircraft involved in the crash is reportedly RA-89049, which belongs to Gazpromavia, the air transport arm of state-owned natural gas company Gazprom.
According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft was in the air for around 60 minutes. After making three circular landing attempts, the aircraft went down, with the crew signaling for help before the crash.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 can seat up to 75–100 people and is designed for short-haul flights. The aircraft has been developed by the Russian aerospace manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. The manufacturer started operating commercial flights in 2011.
This is not the first fatal accident involving a Sukhoi Superjet 100 carrier. On May 5, 2019, Aeroflot Flight 1492 was struck by lightning shortly after departing from Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO). As the aircraft was returning to SVO for an emergency landing, it bounced upon touching the ground, spilling fuel and starting a fire. 41 of the 78 passengers died in this accident.
Prior to that, on May 9, 2012, when a Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed into Mount Salak in West Java, Indonesia, during a demonstration tour. Later investigation revealed that the crew ignored terrain warnings.
