Drama based on demonstration flight: with 44 passengers disappears Russian Superjet

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft of the type had disappeared from the radar screen, a spokesman for the airline consortium OAK confirmed on Wednesday in Moscow. The radio connection with the machine was broken during the test near the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, it said.A Russian aviation expert said there was little hope for a happy ending.On board, eight Russians and 36 representatives of Indonesian airlines were.According to data from Jakarta, it was, however, by 40 Indonesians.Thus were up to 48 passengers on board passenger aircraft.

Manufacturers had to contend with engine problems

Endowed with Western technology is the first Superjet 100 airliner, which was developed in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow has ambitious plans with the machine.So shall the developed in cooperation with Boeing and European companies in the world market Superjet make the industry giant Bombardier of Canada and Embraer of Brazil competition.Just a short civil division had the fighter manufacturer Sukhoi official authorization in the European Union receive.However, engine problems delayed the delivery of the plane so far.The demonstration flight, he should be presented to potential buyers.The jet appears not again, this would be a setback for the Russian aviation industry.

The worst is feared

The aircraft was on a demonstration tour of six Asian countries. Currently, the worst is feared.The machine is still missing."We are still looking for it," said the head of the Indonesian Civil Aviation Authority, Herry Bakti Singoyudha in Jakarta."We do not know what happened." The plane had disappeared in the area of ​​about 2200 meters high volcano Salak from the radar screen, he added. Shortly before the crew had asked to be allowed to reduce the flying height.A spokesman for the Russian aerospace consortium OAK in Moscow confirmed that the wireless connection is torn down with the machine during the test.