Gazpromavia Sukhoi Superjet 100 Crashes Near Moscow After Maintenance Flight, All Crew Perish

Moscow, Russia – On July 12th, 2024, a Gazpromavia Sukhoi Superjet 100-95, registration RA-89049, tragically crashed near the village of Apraksino, approximately 56 nautical miles southeast of Moscow Vnukovo Airport. The aircraft was on a ferry flight from Lukhovitsy Airfield to Moscow Vnukovo, following extensive maintenance. All three crew members on board, including the aircraft commander, second pilot, and a flight attendant, lost their lives in the crash.

Incident Overview

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 had just taken off from Lukhovitsy’s runway 28, bound for Vnukovo, when it encountered severe difficulties while climbing through approximately 3,000 feet. Ground observers reported that the aircraft, after taking off, appeared to lose height rapidly before crashing into a forested area near Apraksino, resulting in a fatal explosion upon impact. The distress signal was transmitted by the crew shortly before the aircraft went down.

Initial reports from Russia’s emergency services suggested that the aircraft might have suffered an engine failure. However, ongoing investigations by Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC/MAK) are delving deeper into the potential causes, with a particular focus on the aircraft’s maintenance history and systems performance.

Maintenance History and Initial Findings

The aircraft had been undergoing significant maintenance, including a C-Check, at Lukhovitsy Airfield since May 3rd, 2024. This was its first flight following the completion of maintenance. The IAC/MAK, which has taken over the investigation, has recovered the aircraft’s flight data recorders (black boxes). These were found to have sustained considerable damage, but their data was successfully retrieved and is being analyzed.

Preliminary analysis revealed that the aircraft was under autopilot control when it suddenly transitioned from level flight into a steep descent, despite the crew’s attempts to recover using manual controls. The last recorded flight data indicated a dangerously high airspeed of 365 knots and a vertical descent rate of 17,000 feet per minute, with the aircraft in a 25-degree nose-down pitch and a right bank just before impact.

On July 16th, 2024, a critical communication from the aircraft manufacturer emerged, urging operators to ensure strict adherence to procedures when replacing angle of attack (AoA) sensors, highlighting the importance of correct installation. The message emphasized avoiding the assignment of multiple AoA sensor replacements to a single technician, hinting at concerns about maintenance practices.

Investigation and Safety Concerns

Further scrutiny of the maintenance practices at Lukhovitsy revealed significant lapses. Notably, it was discovered that during the C-Check of another Sukhoi Superjet (RA-89029), critical measurements of rudder and elevator play were not fully completed, and the work was overseen by an unqualified employee. These findings have prompted Russia’s Civil Aviation Authority, Rosaviatsia, to order Gazpromavia to cease operations of that particular aircraft.

The IAC/MAK’s ongoing investigation will likely explore whether similar maintenance oversights contributed to the July 12th crash. The sudden loss of control, despite the crew’s efforts, raises questions about the integrity of the aircraft’s systems post-maintenance and the role of the AoA sensors, which are critical for maintaining proper flight dynamics.

Industry and Regulatory Response

The incident has sparked significant concern within the Russian aviation sector, particularly regarding the oversight and quality control of aircraft maintenance procedures. The tragic loss of the crew has underscored the potentially fatal consequences of lapses in maintenance practices.

Rosaviatsia and the IAC/MAK are expected to issue recommendations based on the findings of the ongoing investigation, which could lead to more stringent regulations and oversight of aircraft maintenance facilities across Russia.

Conclusion

The crash of the Gazpromavia Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 near Moscow is a stark reminder of the critical importance of rigorous maintenance protocols and the potential dangers of any deviations from these standards. As investigators continue to piece together the events that led to this tragedy, the aviation community will be closely watching for lessons that could prevent similar incidents in the future.

This accident, which took the lives of three experienced crew members, will likely lead to significant changes in how maintenance is conducted and supervised, particularly for aircraft emerging from extensive overhauls. The findings from this investigation will be crucial in ensuring that such a tragedy does not happen again.