Sukhoi 100 Jet Destroyed in Moscow Landing Accident

While 41 passengers lost their lives aboard an Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 that exploded on landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on Sunday, the 37 people who escaped are crediting their survival to the quick thinking of the airline’s flight attendants, one of whom lost his life in the effort.

Shortly after departing Moscow, the aircraft was reportedly struck by lighting and attempted to return to the airport for landing. The aircraft was full of fuel at the time. A closed circuit airport video shows the aircraft touching down on its nose gear first before bouncing back up into the air. On the second touchdown, the landing gear appears to have collapsed as the rear of the Sukhoi burst into flame. The aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders have already been recovered.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Aeroflot steward Maxim Moiseyev assisted passengers in exiting via the emergency slides near the front of the aircraft when the fire in rear began. He refused to leave while passengers were still on board and eventually lost his life. The Daily Telegraph also reported that as of yesterday, more than 4,000 people had signed petitions calling on the Russian government to ground the Sukhoi 100 Superjets following eight other safety-related incidents. The Superjet 100 was certified in 2011. A Russian government spokesman said the aircraft would continue to fly. Mexico’s Interjet Airline stopped flying 15 of the Sukhoi 100s the company operates due to reported engine problems.