A concerning surge in safety incidents involving Russian aircraft has unfolded in 2023, largely attributed to a critical shortage of spare parts and maintenance resources. This uptick in incidents has seen over 180 recorded cases this year alone, marking a stark increase compared to previous years.
Safety Takes a Hit in Russian Aviation
The Russian aviation industry has grappled with the repercussions of Western sanctions, which have effectively barred Russian carriers from acquiring much-needed spare parts and access to expert maintenance services for their Western-made aircraft. This predicament has persisted for over 18 months, forcing airlines to operate under increasingly compromised safety conditions.
Reports from Newsweek reveal a concerning trend of emergency landings in Russia due to technical issues. In the span from September 2023 to December 8, 2023, there were 60 safety incidents necessitating commercial aircraft diversions or emergency landings. This spike in incidents was particularly pronounced, with 15 occurring in September, escalating to 25 in October, briefly dropping to 12 in November, before surging again in the early days of December.
This unsettling pattern has persisted throughout the year. A report by Novaya Gazeta Europe uncovered over 120 incidents recorded between January and August, culminating in a total of over 180 safety incidents in 2023 and counting. This figure significantly exceeds the 60 incidents recorded in 2022 and surpasses pre-pandemic levels, with 2019 registering 110 incidents and 2018 noting 87.
Notably, these figures likely represent an underestimation, as many incidents go unreported. Engine malfunctions have accounted for approximately 30% of these incidents, closely followed by landing gear issues at 25%.
A Disturbing December
The month of December has witnessed a troubling trend, with 11 incidents involving Russian aircraft in the first nine days alone. Some of these incidents posed severe threats, including engine fires, cabin depressurization, and engine failures.
Notable December incidents include:
- An Airbus A319 operated by Rossiya Airlines experiencing cabin depressurization, necessitating an emergency landing.
- An Aeroflot Airbus A321 making an emergency landing in Moscow due to a left engine failure.
- An S7 Boeing 737 diverting its course due to surges in both engines.
- An alarming cabin fire occurring on an Aeroflot Boeing 777.
- An Aeroflot Boeing 737 conducting an emergency landing following a drop in landing gear pressure.
Russian airlines have endeavored to circumvent sanctions by importing spare parts from unaffected countries and even resorting to aircraft maintenance in Iran. However, these efforts have proven insufficient. Viktor Basargin, head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Transport (Rostransnadzor), disclosed that by May of the current year, over 2,000 flights were operated by aircraft containing expired components.
Kirill Yankov, chairman of Russia’s Passengers Union, expressed concerns, stating, “Firstly, it has become much more difficult to obtain spare parts and maintenance materials for many aircraft. And, secondly, what’s worse, it’s possible that spare parts that are not certified by the manufacturers have already begun to be installed on aircraft. We don’t see an increase in plane crashes, but the number of accidents where no one dies has noticeably increased.”
Furthermore, Western aircraft operating in Russia have been deprived of essential software updates and routine maintenance checks, exacerbating safety concerns.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, simpleflying.com
