Structural flaws in Sukhoi Superjet 100 airplanes under consideration in Sheremetyevo fire investigation: reports

A source close to the investigation of the May 5 airplane fire in Moscow told RIA Novosti that structural flaws in the Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 airplane model are being considered a possible cause of the disaster.

Similar reports have emerged that pin at least part of the responsibility for the fire on electrical problems following a lightning strike in the air and on the actions of the pilots.

He said a miscalculation in the design could have caused a breakage in the plane’s landing gear and an ignition in its fuel tanks. “During the SSJ’s landing at Sheremetyevo, the broken landing gear caused harm to the fuel tanks, which was followed by a kerosene leak that ignited. This might be due to a miscalculation in the design of the airplane,” the source explained.