Sukhoi Superjet catches fire after landing in Turkey
November 25, 2024
The engine of a regional Russian airliner operated by Azimuth Airlines has caught fire after landing at Turkey’s Antalya airport on Sunday evening, although no casualties have been reported. It is believed the crew did not declare an emergency until after the aircraft had reached the runway.
According to data from aircraft tracking site Flightradar24, Azimuth Airlines’ Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR had flown from Sochi to Antalya – a flight time of around one and three quarter hours – before landing at 21:34 local time. It was the aircraft’s third flight of the day, having previously left Sochi for Samarkand, before returning to Sochi to depart for Antalya.
As reported by Breaking Aviation News, a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Transport confirmed: “A fire broke out in the engine of the SU95 type aircraft, registered RA89085, belonging to Azimuth Airlines, travelling from Sochi Airport in Russia to Antalya Airport, during landing. After landing at Antalya Airport at 21:24, an emergency call was made by the aircraft pilots due to the fire”.
Video circulating on social media appears to show flames and smoke emanating from the aircraft’s left engine. Occupants are exiting via a starboard emergency exit slide while a fire appliance sprays the blaze. As reported by Reuters, all 89 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft, with the Turkish transport ministry suspending all landings at the airport until 03:00 local time; allowing the aircraft to be towed away.
This is not the first incident in recent weeks involving the seven year old aircraft, with RA-89085 having made an emergency landing in Vnkovo last month owing to a hydraulic leak. Following the incident, the aircraft was grounded for three days.
According to Turkiye Today, Russian aviation authorities and the Southern Transport Prosecutor’s Office have “initiated investigations into the incident to evaluate compliance with aviation safety regulations,” with the Russian Consulate in Antalya co-ordinating with Turkish authorities to assist Russian nationals who lost their passports during the incident.
