Russian passenger jet makes emergency landing after fuselage tears off midflight
Photo: the Rossiya Airlines jet with a torn fuselage panel (Russian media)
This morning, November 15, a Rossiya Airlines aircraft made an emergency landing in Khabarovsk after part of its fuselage tore off during the flight, reports The Moscow Times and other Russian media outlets.
Ninety passengers and five crew members were on board, and no injuries were reported.
One subscriber told Russian reporters that the aircraft flying from Vladivostok to Blagoveshchensk lost part of its fuselage. Social media videos show the right engine missing its outer casing and several metal parts. Some local channels said the plane was a Russian-made SSJ100.
Regional prosecutors later stated that the aircraft experienced a "technical malfunction" and landed in Khabarovsk at 9:00 AM local time.
"The landing occurred in routine mode. The Primorsky Transport Prosecutor's Office will review the performance of technical services at Vladivostok Airport during the aircraft's preparation for departure," the agency said.
Several Russian media outlets reported that passengers waited for a replacement aircraft from Vladivostok. Some travelers said they would not board the damaged aircraft again and planned to reach Blagoveshchensk on their own.
Russia's Investigative Committee opened a probe into possible violations of aviation safety rules. The Eastern Interregional Transport Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee said authorities will review the circumstances and causes of the incident before deciding on further steps.
Other incidents in Russia
On Thursday, November 13, a Russian Su-30 fighter jet crashed in Karelia during a scheduled training flight. The crew was killed.
In April, a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in the Irkutsk region. A technical malfunction was believed to be the likely cause.
