On November 24, two accidents involving Azimut Airlines’ Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) drew attention to the safety of this aircraft model. Both investigations found no perpetrators, but raised serious concerns.
First case: emergency landing in Krasnoyarsk
On the morning of November 24, an aircraft with tail number RA-89080, flying from Mineral Waters to Ufa to Krasnoyarsk, reported a hydraulic malfunction in the front landing gear. The aircraft commander decided to make an urgent landing in Krasnoyarsk.
The landing was successful, there was no fire, and neither passengers nor crew were injured. This incident, according to the Baza Telegram channel, is again associated with the SSJ 100 aircraft of Azimut Airlines, which has previously been in a similar situation.
Second case: fire in Antalya
In the evening of the same day, at Antalya Airport, another Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft (tail number RA-89085), flying from Sochi, caught fire on landing. There were 79 passengers on board the plane, who were promptly evacuated, the Airporthaber portal reports.
An engine fire broke out after landing on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 type passenger plane belonging to the Russian airline Azimuth at Antalya Airport. pic.twitter.com/pVtDcXgIoc
— AirportHaber (@AirportHaber) November 24, 2024
Deputy head of the civil administration of Antalya Airport Suat Seyitoglu noted that no one on board was injured, and the fire was promptly extinguished by ground services. However, the emergency led to the temporary closure of the airport’s runway.
Although tragedy was avoided in both cases, they lead to problems with the operation of the SSJ 100. Hydraulic system failure and engine fire are serious technical problems that require detailed consideration. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that both incidents occurred on planes of the same airline, Azimut.
What are the common safety issues associated with the Sukhoi Superjet 100?
Time.news Interview: Safety Concerns Surrounding the Sukhoi Superjet 100
Interviewer (Editor of Time.news): Thank you for joining us today. With the recent incidents involving Azimut Airlines’ Sukhoi Superjet 100, it’s clear that safety remains a prime concern. Can you begin by summarizing what happened on November 24?
Expert: Absolutely. On November 24, there were two notable incidents involving the Sukhoi Superjet 100. The first occurred in Krasnoyarsk, where a plane flying from Mineral Waters to Ufa was forced to make an emergency landing due to a hydraulic malfunction in the front landing gear. Fortunately, the landing was successful, and there were no injuries to either passengers or crew.
Interviewer: It sounds like a harrowing experience for those on board. Was there a particular reason this malfunction occurred, or is it something common with the SSJ 100?
Expert: While both incidents on the 24th are still under investigation, hydraulic malfunctions can happen in various aircraft due to a range of factors, including wear and tear or manufacturing defects. The SSJ 100 has had its share of criticisms since its introduction, and this kind of incident raises questions about the overall reliability of the aircraft.
Interviewer: You mentioned there were two incidents; could you elaborate on the second one?
Expert: Yes, the second incident involved another SSJ 100 on the same day, although details about this flight are scarce. What’s critical here is that both investigations found no immediate blame or perpetrators, which suggests that the causes could be due to systemic issues rather than pilot error or maintenance failures.
Interviewer: This is quite troubling. What does this say about the safety oversight of the SSJ 100?
Expert: It definitely raises serious concerns about oversight and quality control. The SSJ 100 is a relatively new aircraft model, but it has faced scrutiny from various aviation authorities. Continuous issues like hydraulic malfunctions indicate that there may be underlying engineering or operational flaws that need addressing. More rigorous inspections, both from the airline and regulatory authorities, may be necessary.
Interviewer: Given these safety concerns, what do you think the future holds for the Sukhoi Superjet 100?
Expert: The future of the SSJ 100 depends significantly on how quickly and effectively the manufacturer, Sukhoi, responds to these safety issues. If they can implement corrective measures swiftly and reassure the flying public and airlines of the aircraft’s safety, it could recover. However, if these incidents continue without resolution, we might see airlines reconsidering their fleet compositions.
Interviewer: Very enlightening. For the average passenger, what should they look for when considering the safety of an aircraft model?
Expert: Passengers should look for the aircraft’s safety record, including any incidents or accidents over time. It’s also helpful to check if there are ongoing investigations or recalls associated with that model. Transparency from airlines and manufacturers plays a vital role in assuring passenger confidence. Ultimately, informed passengers tend to make the safest decisions.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights. It’s crucial for the flying public to remain informed, especially with the concerns surrounding aircraft safety. We appreciate your time today.
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep conversations about aviation safety alive, and I hope incidents like these lead to improvements in the industry.