Aeroflot Superjet crash probe awaits fire and structural analyses

Russian investigators probing the Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash at Moscow Sheremetyevo a year ago are still awaiting results of specific fire and structural analyses before releasing their final findings about the accident. But the Interstate Aviation Committee says some of the work – including US manufacturer Curtiss-Wright’s assessment of fire-protection units – has been held up by restrictive measures imposed during the coronavirus crisis. The inquiry is yet to complete research into the probability of fire occurring and spreading after the aircraft lands, which is being carried out by St Petersburg’s university for the state fire service. It is also awaiting the results of assessment into the collapse of the aircraft’s landing-gear and damage to the fuel tanks in the wing, and analysis of compliance with design requirements of landing-gear struts and attachment points. This work will be carried out by the investigators once they receive the results of undercarriage load modelling being performed by French aerospace firm Safran.<br/>