Irkutsk Aviation Plant — Flight Acceptance Flight

A Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crashed into a residential building in Irkutsk during an acceptance test flight, killing both pilots. The aircraft was observed flying at 9,000 meters during a period of crew unresponsiveness before it descended to 600 meters, entered a holding pattern, and eventually entered a near-vertical dive. Preliminary findings suggest the pilots may have been incapacitated by a malfunction in the oxygen system, possibly involving nitrogen contamination.

Aircraft

Sukhoi Su-30SM2

Registration

—

Phase

Cause

Souls on Board

Fatalities

Origin → Dest

Irkutsk Northwest Airport → ?

Report

Investigation Summary

On October 23, 2022, two Su-30SM2 aircraft were conducting test flights from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. While one aircraft returned and landed safely, ground control lost radio contact with the second aircraft. A chase plane was dispatched to observe the silent fighter and reported that both pilots appeared to be slumped over and unconscious in the cockpit. The aircraft continued to fly on a programmed route at an altitude of 9,000 meters before descending to 600 meters and entering a holding pattern. Eventually, the autopilot disconnected, and the aircraft entered a steep dive, striking a two-story wooden residential building in the Novo-Lenino district. The residents were not home at the time, but the crash resulted in a fire and the total destruction of the aircraft.

Final Conclusions

The investigation by the Investigative Committee of Russia and a special commission from the United Aircraft Corporation is ongoing. As of the latest reports, investigators are focusing on equipment failure and crew error, specifically examining the possibility that the oxygen system was incorrectly filled with nitrogen, leading to pilot hypoxia and incapacitation.

Video Analysis

No video analysis linked for this case file yet.

Systems & Failure Modes

Oxygen System

Investigators suspect the life support system may have been contaminated with nitrogen, causing the pilots to lose consciousness due to hypoxia.

Autopilot

The aircraft maintained a programmed flight path and altitude while the crew was incapacitated until the autopilot eventually disconnected.

Interesting Facts

01The aircraft was a Sukhoi Su-30SM2 performing an acceptance test flight without ammunition.
02Both pilots, Maxim Konyushin and Viktor Kryukov, were killed in the crash.
03No residents were killed or injured as the residents of the house were not home at the time of the impact.
04One firefighter was injured during the emergency response to the crash site.
05The crash caused a localized power outage affecting approximately 150 houses.
06The crash occurred just six days after another Sukhoi fighter (an Su-34) crashed into an apartment block in Yeysk.
07One of the deceased pilots, Maxim Konyushin, was an Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation.

Safety Actions & Advisories

Criminal Investigation

The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case under Article 263 regarding violations of air safety rules and operation of air transport.