On Sunday night, chaos briefly unfolded at Antalya Airport as the engine of a Sukhoi Superjet 100, operated by Azimuth Airlines, caught fire shortly after landing. The aircraft, hailing from Sochi, carried 95 souls—89 passengers and six crew members—who were thankfully evacuated without injury.
The fire erupted at approximately 9:34 PM local time as the plane touched down. According to Turkey's Transport Ministry, the swift response of airport rescue and firefighting teams enabled them to quickly extinguish the flames, mitigating potential disaster. Video footage shared across social media platforms showcased the dramatic scene: bright flames and thick plumes of smoke emanated from the left engine of the aircraft.
Caught off-guard, many passengers showed visible panic during the evacuation. "There was panic in the cabin; people started jumping up, trying to get their bags, putting them in the aisle," one evacuee recalled. "And then, a sharp flash outside the windows showed the fire had burst. Smoke poured strongly inside the cabin." Crew members deployed emergency slides, facilitating rapid exit from the volatile situation.
Antalya's Transport Ministry confirmed all onboard were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported. Ground operations at the airport faced disruptions as landings were temporarily halted until early Monday morning to allow authorities to clear the incident.
Azimuth Airlines attributed the incident to rough landing conditions caused by wind shear, posing questions about how atmospheric factors can quickly impact flight safety. The Russian aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya, announced it would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the underlying causes of the fire. Despite the aircraft being only seven years old—having made its first flight design back to 2008—maintenance and safety of Russian aircraft have been brought to the spotlight, especially since the imposition of Western sanctions following Russia's incursion of Ukraine.
Turkey stands as one of the few destinations maintaining direct flights to and from Russia, making Antalya Airport pivotal for Russian travelers. Recent events framed by geopolitical tensions have increased scrutiny on the operational status and safety of airlines like Azimuth, which operate under financial constraints due to these sanctions.
Images shared immediately following the incident portrayed responders dispersing foam under the aircraft and extinguishing residual flames, showcasing the seriousness with which aviation safety is treated. Authorities worked diligently to remove the aircraft from the runway without delaying service for longer than necessary. While casualties were thankfully absent, this incident serves as another reminder of the never-ending challenges faced by airline safety protocols.
The incident raises questions about aviation preparedness and the operational integrity of aircraft under unpredictable weather conditions, especially as international travel continues to navigate restrictive practices and heightened vigilance.
