Engine Fire on Russian Passenger Plane in Turkey
A significant incident occurred late Sunday evening when a Russian passenger plane, operated by Azimuth Airlines, experienced an engine fire upon landing at Antalya International Airport in southern Turkey. The aircraft, a Sukhoi Superjet-100, was carrying 89 passengers and 6 crew members from Sochi, a popular resort city on the Black Sea. According to the Turkish Ministry of Transport, the fire erupted in the left engine of the plane as it landed, prompting an immediate evacuation of all on board. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
Emergency services quickly extinguished the fire, which was captured in dramatic footage shared on social media, showing flames and smoke billowing from the aircraft. Passengers described a chaotic scene during the landing, with reports of a sharp impact and a subsequent loss of electricity, leading to panic among those on board. One passenger recounted the smell of burning plastic and the crew's efforts to maintain calm as they facilitated the evacuation.
Investigation and Aftermath
In the wake of the incident, Azimuth Airlines confirmed that the rough landing was attributed to strong winds. The Russian air transport agency, Rosaviatsia, has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Following the incident, all landings at Antalya Airport were temporarily suspended until early Monday morning, with departing flights redirected to a military runway.
In a surprising turn, passengers have filed a class action lawsuit against Azimuth Airlines, citing health concerns after inhaling carbon monoxide during the evacuation. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in Russian aviation, particularly as the country faces a shortage of aircraft due to international sanctions related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
