Russia Grounds Sukhoi Superjet 100 Over Safety Concerns

[gwillie]

Russia Grounds Its Newest Airliner Over Safety Concerns


Russia Grounds Its Newest Airliner Over Safety Concerns
By ANDREW E. KRAMER DEC. 24, 2016

MOSCOW — Russian aviation authorities have grounded the country’s fleet of its newest model of civilian airliner, the Sukhoi Superjet 100. Metal fatigue, a problem usually associated with older airplanes, was discovered in the tail section of a new Sukhoi plane, the Russian regulator Rosaviatsia said Friday.



After the latest announcement, the Russian national airline Aeroflot, a major Sukhoi customer, on Saturday canceled 21 flights scheduled on domestic routes during the busy holiday season.

Rosaviatsia ordered the planes grounded pending inspections after a regional carrier, IrAero, reported finding metal fatigue in a component in the tail wings of one plane, according to Regnum, a nongovernmental Russian news agency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/24/business/russia-grounds-sukhoi-superjet-safety-concerns.html?ref=world&_r=0

[Kulverstukas]

Grounds? 21 plane from >100 produced? Isn't this report a bit overinflated?

[Kulverstukas]

If look close to the source, Rosaviatsia "grounds" SIX Aeroflot SSJ and ONE IrAero because of "possible defect in one of the HS attachments". Aeroflot, which is not quite happy with service contract with Sukhoi, "grounded" all his fleet with demand for warranty repair.

[DIBO]

If look close to the source, RosaviatsiaCould you enlighten us? Why ground just a few planes out of the fleet of only 2 operators, not including the third largest fleet operator Gazpromavia?

I wonder how Mexico's DGAC will react with the second largest fleet being operated by Interjet.

[Kulverstukas]

I can only speculate, but IrAiro airframes are from the very first built and "defect" was found in one of them. Aeroflot known for their tendency to have any opportunity for cancelling "nonprofitable" flights. I can't give any more information until official papers leaks into internet.

[Sunamer]

Aeroflot known for their tendency to have any opportunity for cancelling "nonprofitable" flights
that's is because it is a business and not a charity.
You should know that SSJs were pushed onto the Aeroflot and if I remember correctly, a large portion of their ssj fleet spent a majority of time on the ground, instead of in the air. Of course, an airplane becomes unprofitable, when it sits on the ground.

[5 APUs captain]

Stabilizer mounts problem

[Kulverstukas]

that's is because it is a business and not a charity.
Right

You should know that SSJs were pushed onto the Aeroflot

Right

and if I remember correctly, a large portion of their ssj fleet spent a majority of time on the ground, instead of in the air.

Wrong

Of course, an airplane becomes unprofitable, when it sits on the ground.

Right :)

[Sunamer]

"and if I remember correctly, a large portion of their ssj fleet spent a majority of time on the ground, instead of in the air."
Wrong

Not really.


As sources in the industry state, level of readiness of the russian airplane is 50-60%. But even this is not the main problem. Companies complain they have to wait sometimes for several months for necessary spare parts to arrive, during which airframes are grounded and don't make any money.
Как утверждают источники в отрасли, степень исправности российских самолетов колеблется на уровне 50-60%. Но даже не это является основной проблемой эксплуатантов. Больше всего представители авиакомпаний жалуются на то, что иногда необходимые запчасти приходится ждать по несколько месяцев, в течение которых лайнеры простаивают и не приносят прибыль.
http://samolety.org/rossijskie-ekspluatanty-zhaluyutsya-na-sukhoi-superjet-100/



In total, the number of failures for 1000 hr period of ops is 150-200% higher than the numbers for analogues western types of A/C.
В целом, если фиксировать все отказы в работе систем за 1000 часов полета, то у SSJ-100 данный показатель будет выше на 150-200%, чем у аналогичных серийных машин западных производителей.
http://samolety.org/rossijskie-ekspluatanty-zhaluyutsya-na-sukhoi-superjet-100/



They are quite happy with 757s, 767s and 777s or 320/330s that they use ....
If SSJ was on par with those:
1) why would SSJ be forced onto Aeroflot, in the first place?
2) why would Aeroflot start complaining about SSJs, if the type is no different in terms of time-on-the-ground from the B or A types of A/C?
If it is a profitable, cheap and reliable A/C type, why would Aeroflot start throwing a meaningless tantrum about profitability, if no such problem exists?
:ugh:
It makes no sense.
If Aeroflot complains, that means, the business perceives it as a larger problem, comparing to what they have with western types, don't you think?

[Kulverstukas]

Not really. If it is a profitable, cheap and reliable A/C type, why would Aeroflot start throwing meaningless tantrums about profitability, if no such problem exists?
:ugh:

Ever think about difference between local and international flights?

[AN2 Driver]

is there a source from the Russian CAA about this? All I can find is references in the American presss.

[Kulverstukas]

If Aeroflot complains, that means, the business perceives it as a larger problem, comparing to what they have with western types, don't you think?

yes. it's another great example of privatization of profits and nationalization of losses from biggest state owned carrier. also it's "harvest everything today and flee to the safety heaven tomorrow attitude". last thing to say, Sukhoi unfortunately have no big "incense packages" for Aeroflot managers in contrary of A & B.

[Mora34]

Here's the AD.
http://i.imgur.com/XDSQIY1.png
Interjet's press release. No mention of grounding the fleet.
https://scontent.fcul1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15665573_10154191273588441_3837886492782574414_n.jpg?oh=5232 e3526eb706ab3f4488f7c324ea8e&oe=58D736CC

[DIBO]

Some comment from Sukhoi on the matter:
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft comment on fulfilment of FATA (Russian Federation Federal Air Transport Agency) Airworthiness Directive (dated 23.12.2016) - Luchtzak Aviation (http://www.luchtzak.be/manufacturers/sukhoi/sukhoi-civil-aircraft-comment-fulfillment-fata-russian-federation-federal-air-transport-agency-airworthiness-directive-dated-23-12-2016/)

[andrasz]

A little known detail on the differences in design philosophies of Soviet era Russian aircraft and contemporary western aircraft was in the degree of prescribed overload limits for individual components and assemblies. In western aircraft design each individual component must be able to demonstrate withstanding of loads at least 50% higher than the maximum design load limit before failure, and assembled load bearing structures must also demonstrate the same. The old soviet aviation manufacturing standards prescribed 100% over design load limit before failure. This was because Soviet industry was not able to supply metals meeting required specificatios with a consistency that western industry was able to do. This resulted in generally much stronger, but correspondingly heavier airframes.


The SSJ was the first russian civilian airliner that was designed according to western specifications. My suspicion is that while the aircraft design may have been sound, the component manufacturers have not quite grown up to the challenge.

[porterhouse]

The SSJ was the first russian civilian airliner that was designed according to western specifications
This isn't actually true. The design was totally Russian albeit with the heavy use of western components. The fuselage was done totally under supervision of Sukhoi design bureau, no western contractor had any part in it. The only thing that was different was Boeing's advisory role to help them navigate through western certification process and to advice them how to provide proper post-sales documentation and support (typical Achilles' heel of all Soviet/Russian aircraft). Actually, when SSJ started to sell some speculated that it still suffers from typical Soviet-style fuselage overbuilt and hence may not be fully competitive with western designs.

[Sunamer]

Ever think about difference between local and international flights?
Do you mean, it is okay if airframes for domestic flights are sitting on the concrete, instead of flying while components are getting delivered to get a jet back into the air? Really?
:rolleyes:

I am quite tired of that attitude of old and not so old people in Russia that name everything that is positive - a local success, and everything that is negative - a western spy plot (or, alternatively, put blame for SSJ failure, onto B or A shoulders).
That reminds me of believers that praise the Lord for everything good that happened, while blaming Satan for everything bad.
These two groups of people have a lot in common. Namely, they deny facts and make up ridiculous stories to support their weird world views.
Since that attitude requires olympic-game-levels of logical gymnastics, facts and actual inconvenient truths are removed from the picture (as they disturbing to that picture), and are replaced with easy to digest explanations that do fit an imaginary world quite well.
One thing they don't do quite well, is finding and fixing real problems, though, since the connections those explanations are providing, are IMAGINARY and couldn't possible suggest any real-world fix.

Yeah, those B or A corrupt incentive package is what got SSJ.... /s
(sigh)

How about actually looking into why western countries don't want to buy SSJs and then MAKING SSJ competitive?
Nah, that would require actual work done and, potentially, a lot of it.

[DaveReidUK]

is there a source from the Russian CAA about this? All I can find is references in the American presss.

The NYT journo appears to be a Russian correspondent rather than an aviation specialist, so when he uses the term "metal fatigue" that may not necessarily be the failure mode.

[andrasz]

This isn't actually true. The design was totally Russian


The design was indeed entirely Russian, never said it wasn't. It was the +50% overengineering on component level (instead of +100%) that I was referring to, Russia adopted the western certification standards prior to building the SSJ, and this was the first design where they were applied (as opposed to the old Soviet era certification standards).

[ATC Watcher]

Dos anyone knows it the 3 City Jet SSJs that are right now flying for between Ireland and France are affected ?
Saw one last week in CDG terminal 2G .
The airline is reported to have 12 more on order to replace their RJs .( plus 16 more options) They must have done their maths.

[The Ancient Geek]

Its a storm in a teacup. There is an AD to examine and replace a bracket.
There is multiple redundancy so even if the bracket failed it would still be safe.

See post #14 above.

[andrasz]

They must have done their maths.


Sukhoi used very agressive pricing to win the first western customers, including serious paybacks in case performance guarantees were not met (they weren't...). With the right figures, the maths are indeed probably good...

[DaveReidUK]

Dos anyone knows it the 3 City Jet SSJs that are right now flying for between Ireland and France are affected ?
Saw one last week in CDG terminal 2G .

None of the three appears to have flown in the last few days, though that may not be significant.

[silverstrata]

The old soviet aviation manufacturing standards prescribed 100% over design load limit before failure. This was because Soviet industry was not able to supply metals meeting required specifications with consistency.


Indeed. And they were also not able to guarantee that no 'Monday Morning' components were included in the assembly, because of poor working practices and poor management oversight. You only had to stroll around a USSR factory to see why that was - if the factory was dingy, dirty and rubbish strewn, what chance was there for consistently perfect component manufacture?

So yes, most USSR aircraft were designed to be bullet proof, as is witnessed by the number of Tu154 fuselages that survived a crash.

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Interjet Su-100s are flying today, December 26......
Of course no one will mention that Interjet is quite happy with theirs and ordered more after receiving its initial batch.......

https://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/166736-interjet-mexico-sukhoi-superjet-aviones-mejor

[DaveReidUK]

Interjet Su-100s are flying today, December 26......

The Mexican press certainly mentions part of the Interjet fleet being grounded:

Interjet anuncia posibles demoras por revisión rusa - La Jornada (http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2016/12/25/interjet-anuncia-posibles-demoras-por-revision-rusa)

Of course that only affects aircraft until such time as the AD has been actioned.

[Mora34]

Great journalism indeed!

Mexico City. Interjet announced that its customers could suffer cancellations or delays, because part of its Superjet 100 fleet will be grounded to be inspected at the request of the Russian Aeronautical Authority, following the crash of a Russian aircraft that was traveling to Syria, an accident in which 92 people were killed.

[Kulverstukas]

Namely, they deny facts and make up ridiculous stories to support their weird world views.

So where is your proof that whole SSJ fleet is grounded? Or CityJet and InterJet papers are communist propaganda too?

And if you read a bit into Russian economic of domestic and international flights you will understand why Aeroflot is not happy with short range jets and constantly cancels flights (not SSJ performed only).

[DaveReidUK]

So where is your proof that whole SSJ fleet is grounded?.

You mean apart from the AD reproduced in post #14 that grounds all RRJ-95s (not just specific msns) upon return to base until inspected with no cracks found ?

[Sunamer]

So where is your proof that whole SSJ fleet is grounded? Or CityJet and InterJet papers are communist propaganda too?

And if you read a bit into Russian economic of domestic and international flights you will understand why Aeroflot is not happy with short range jets and constantly cancels flights (not SSJ performed only).

Where did I say that the whole fleet was grounded? I didn't.

[Morrihell]

The whole fleet's certainly not grounded...

Cityjet's EI-FWA seen today, flying...

[up_down_n_out]

And if you read a bit into Russian economic of domestic and international flights you will understand why Aeroflot is not happy with short range jets and constantly cancels flights (not SSJ performed only). Exactly.

The Russian market has been suffering severe retrenchment/downsizing since the beginning of the international crisis over Ukraine, and the halving of the value of the Rouble and Hryvnia.
Some went under, some like EJ > MOW, stopped altogether.

AFL are looking by all means to keep market share & flying full, which helped them with the disappearance of their competitors Transaero and near disappearance of UTAIR.

Now you have a near monopoly/cartel between just 2 carriers, S7 & AFL. (via Rossiya & their horrible lo-cost Pobeda).
It has ending up turning to a turf war over, hub and feeder networks, based at opposite ends of Moscow, fuelled by more speculation and politics.

If anyone has the unlucky experience of having to go from SVO to DME in the middle of winter, one can easily see the low priority accorded to service quality & customer interests in Russia.

The government strategy to try to strangle DME & create one giant government owned cartel with VKO, SVO, DME hasn't worked,-
So the next target has got to be a/c.

The first easy target would be SSJ100, which although it can fly full at 88 easy, & is cheap, has like most new jets had a troubled start.
AFL, never people to be particularly discrete, is mostly government owned.
SSJ is mostly government financed.

Anyone who has followed the catastrophic mess over Baikonur v Vostochny will understand.
high media interest/bad news = politics again, = behind the scenes "turf wars" in Kremlin circles.

Of course, nobody is taking risks so TU204 is an a/c nobody wants, and nearly all those who bought went under.

All S7 could reply with is, A319 which carry minimum 125+, so fly half full and you're losing a lot of money.
They planned to downsize with Embraer, E170 E series in 2016 but it won't be flying for a while.

SSJ at under 100 in use (prod 2004), is a clear FAIL compared with Embraer 1000+ (prod 2002).

It really doesn't look good for the "revival" of the fortunes of the Russian aircraft industry.
Too much "krym nash", wasting time, and precious resources, flying people to places that are black holes for political reasons.
A good read,- https://jamestown.org/programs/rd/

SSJ was supposed to be the flag bearer, but as most things in Russia these days, - the vodka, cheese, you name it, 50-75% of it like the news is fake.
The only thing you can pray for, nobody puts formol in your fish or methanol in your vodka.

TASS: Business & Economy - Inspection finds no critical faults in SSJ-100 planes (http://tass.com/economy/922899)

[DaveReidUK]

The whole fleet's certainly not grounded...

Cityjet's EI-FWA seen today, flying...

After spending four days on the ground at DUB.

The grounding, which did affect the whole fleet, only applies until the inspection is carried out (assuming no cracks are found).

It's all there in the AD (see post #14).

[ChiefT]

Well, the SSJ is flying (again). I am about to board and Aeroflot flight to Moscow. RA89061 is the registration.

[SLFandProud]

Well, the SSJ is flying (again). I am about to board and Aeroflot flight to Moscow. RA89061 is the registration.


Glad to hear it. As a passenger, it's one of my favourite aircraft to fly on.

[up_down_n_out]

it's one of my favourite aircraft to fly on

The SSJ has without any doubt, one of the most ergonomically well thought out interiors in the world.
It "feels" a lot bigger than it is, and is more comfortable than any other I can think of.

The only criticism, you may have is under adverse weather, as it's a good deal more skittish than larger aircraft, but hey, it's NOT a large aircraft. :rolleyes:

[luchtzak]

Sukhoi Superjet 100 fleet inspection completed - Luchtzak.be (http://www.luchtzak.be/manufacturers/sukhoi/sukhoi-superjet-100-fleet-inspection-completed/)

[twochai]

Russia Grounds Sukhoi Superjet 100 Over Safety Concerns

It's about time an adult is put in charge of correcting misleading headlines on PPrune!

The AD issued by the manufacturer seems very clear to me - its a one-off inspection before further flight, followed by daily visual inspections followed up with a weekly NDT inspection. This would not generally call for any press comment, except an item in an aircraft maintenance digest.

No wonder the Russians are paranoid about how their communications are misrepresented in the Western press. The BS on this supposedly professional forum is shocking, to say the least.

[Hotel Tango]

No wonder the Russians are paranoid about how their communications are misrepresented in the Western press.

Western press misrepresentation is not biased toward Russia. The western press generally misrepresents almost everything, EAST and WEST!!! Headlines sell newspapers. Oh, and are you trying to say that the Russian press doesn't misrepresent the west? They're even worse!

[Bandures]

The Russian market has been suffering severe retrenchment/downsizing since the beginning of the international crisis over Ukraine, and the halving of the value of the Rouble and Hryvnia.
Some went under, some like EJ > MOW, stopped altogether.
~20% increase in domestic flights in 2016 YoY
~10% decrease in international flights, mostly due to Turkey/Egypt ban
http://cdn.vedomosti.ru/image/2016/9o/1f7vxw/fullscreen-1udo.png

[up_down_n_out]

no 'Monday Morning' components were included in the assembly, because of poor working practices and poor management oversight.
You only had to stroll around a USSR factory to see why that was - if the factory was dingy, dirty and rubbish strewn, what chance was there for consistently perfect component manufacture?

Presumably you have been strolling around above companies and in Ukraine too?

Strange how you Americans, are using those same companies to launch satellites, but never ever had a space shuttle failure? /sarc

[Mora34]

Half of the Interjet's fleet of 22 grounded. First one will be back in service after repairs on Jan 5th and the last one not until Jan 30th.

http://www.animalpolitico.com/2016/12/aviones-interjet-enero-vuelos-cancelados/

[up_down_n_out]

~20% increase in domestic flights in 2016 YoY
~10% decrease in international flights, mostly due to Turkey/Egypt ban

O.T. of course.
You don't live there.

The changes in useage are quite simply a reflection of the fallen Rouble rate, and the bankrupcy of large numbers of the tour operators.

Domestic flights are cheap, but we knew that with subsidies and a/p taxes paid in Rouble.
International flights are expensive, with higher a/p taxes payable in foreign, so it doesn't take a maths degree to work out the stunning downturn.

The "average" Russian consumer no longer can afford that holiday in the sun, so AFL mainly being government owned, heavily promoted subsidised tourism to Krym, which has an absolute collapse of its tourist industry, and a staggering 100% price rise on the peninsula.

It's now yet another miserable failed semi-region with lower standard of living even than impoverished Pskov or Novgorod, which are well recognisable black holes.

Crimea had around 6 million visitors a year before the 2014 annexation ,now, 2016, under half that, with the primary industry being tourism.

There's statistics, lies, damn lies and manipulations. :ugh:

[Fonsini]

Up to 60% non-availability, a lack of spare parts, and now metal fatigue.

This seems unlikely to restore the faith of airlines in Russian made equipment.

[DaveReidUK]

We don't know that, only that cracks have been found. The two aren't synonymous.

[andrasz]

Indeed they aren't. But if cracks appear in a load bearing metal structure unexpectedly, that can mean ONLY two things:
1) structural load was greater for some reason than anticipated and designed for; or
2) metal properties did not meet design specifications.
Neither bode too well...

[Volume]

; or
3) additional stress was put on the item due to the manufacturing process (e.g. poor tolerances)

In that case, the issue may have already ben cought up by the learning curve of the production staff...

[DaveReidUK]

See (1) above.

[luchtzak]

Meanwhile Interjet resumes operations with SSJ: Interjet resumes Sukhoi Superjet 100 operations - Luchtzak.be (http://www.luchtzak.be/airlines/interjet/resumes-sukhoi-superjet-100-operations/)