Russian Su-34 Crashes During Training Flight

A routine training flight ended dramatically in Russia when a Su-34 fighter-bomber crashed in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

According to Russian media, the crash was caused by a technical failure that prevented the aircraft’s landing gear from functioning correctly during landing.

Dramatic Emergency Ejection Saved the Crew

The accident occurred after the pilots had attempted multiple times to rectify the fault while in the air.

Despite the crew’s repeated attempts to activate the landing gear, the issue remained unresolved.

Ultimately, they had to follow the air traffic controller’s instructions to bring the aircraft to a safe area where they ejected.

The plane subsequently crashed in an uninhabited area between the villages of Veletma and Kulebaki.

Both crew members survived unscathed, and the accident caused no further ground damage.

Second Su-34 Accident in Recent Months

The crash raises concerns about the safety of the Su-34 aircraft type, as it is the second serious incident involving the landing gear on a Su-34 within a few months.

Earlier this year, another aircraft of the same type encountered serious problems during landing.

In that case, the pilots managed to make a hard landing on the aircraft’s fuselage, but the aircraft was heavily damaged.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has now launched a thorough investigation into the recurring technical issues with the Su-34’s landing equipment.

Su-34 – A Target for Ukraine’s Defense

Besides the technical issues with the Su-34 aircraft, the Russian airbase in Marinovka has recently been targeted by Ukrainian attacks specifically aimed at this aircraft type.

Earlier in June, Ukraine’s security service, in collaboration with special forces, carried out a major operation in which several Su-34 aircraft were destroyed or severely damaged.

This incident, combined with the crash, has increased focus on the aircraft type and its vulnerabilities, both in the air and on the ground.

The situation underscores the importance for the Russian military to resolve the technical challenges surrounding the Su-34 quickly to prevent further accidents.

While investigations continue, it is clear that the Russian military has suffered yet another serious setback in an already pressured situation.

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