Fuselage flaws prompt inspections for Russian Sukhoi Superjet fleet

Other operators affected include Azimuth and Yamal Airlines, with one and five impacted aircraft respectively. The remaining planes are currently in storage.

The problem centers on structural components called stringers that reinforce an aircraft’s fuselage. On these Superjets, stringers between the cockpit and passenger door were found not securely fastened. Inspections require dismantling insulation materials as well as other internal structures such as door frame skins and lavatory modules—a process that highlights maintenance challenges for Russian carriers operating domestically produced jets under Western sanctions.

While no operational disruptions have resulted from these recent findings, they add to ongoing concerns about the Superjet's safety record. According to AeroTime, there have been 95 incidents involving this model over a twelve-year period; five resulted in total hull losses with three fatal accidents causing a combined total of 89 deaths.

Despite these issues, Russia is working toward greater self-sufficiency in aviation due to international sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This includes development of an updated version of the jet—the Yakovlev SJ-100 NEW—with more than 100 orders placed collectively by Aeroflot, Aurora, and Rossiya Airlines.

Current data shows that out of a total Sukhoi Superjet fleet comprising 76 active units, there are also 21 inactive planes and another 28 on order. Cirium reports that this month alone operators scheduled over 14,000 flights using this type of aircraft with approximately 1.34 million seats offered.