A Russian cargo aircraft flying from Russia to China was forced to dump fuel and execute an emergency landing after an engine caught fire shortly after takeoff, highlighting ongoing safety concerns about the country’s aviation industry.
The Tu-204 freighter (operated by charter cargo airline Avistar) was en-route from Baikal Airport in Ulan-Ude, Russia to Zhangzhou, China, when a fire broke out in its starboard engine. After jettisoning fuel, the aircraft executed an emergency landing. Nobody is reported to have been injured in the incident.
However, the fire highlights ongoing safety concerns about Russia’s aviation industry, which is feeling the impact of ongoing sanctions severely impacting access to serviceable parts. In September 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) red-flagged Russia in its safety audit; citing a “serious safety problem with regard to Russia’s ability to properly control aircraft under its jurisdiction”.