Russian SSJ100 Falls Apart Mid-Air, Forcing Emergency Landing, Video

A Russian SSJ100 passenger aircraft operated by Rossiya Airlines made an emergency landing in Khabarovsk on November 15 after parts of its external skin and engine panels detached during flight, according to The Moscow Times on November 15.

The aircraft, flying from Vladivostok to Blagoveshchensk, was carrying 90 passengers and five crew members. No injuries were reported.

According to The Moscow Times, witnesses told Russian journalists that a section of the aircraft’s outer skin separated in mid-air.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show the right-side engine missing parts of its metal covering. Several Russian outlets reported that the aircraft involved was a domestically produced SSJ100.

Russia’s Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office confirmed a “technical malfunction” and said the aircraft landed at 9:00 a.m. local time.

Passengers told Russian media that after the landing, they waited for a replacement aircraft sent from Vladivostok. Some said they would not board the damaged plane again and planned to continue their trip to Blagoveshchensk by alternative means.

Earlier, The Moscow Times reported that Russia’s aviation sector is already under severe pressure, with Rosaviatsia warning the country could lose more than 300 aircraft and 200 helicopters by 2030 due to sanctions.

Officials acknowledged growing shortages of certified parts, engine problems on Sukhoi Superjets, and the looming retirement of aging Antonov fleets—trends that industry experts say could effectively shut down many regional routes unless domestic production sharply increases.

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