The Federal Air Transport Agency has reported a sustained decline in aviation incidents linked to aircraft and engine malfunctions during the first eleven months of 2023. This assessment was echoed by TASS, citing the agency’s press service. The total number of incidents dropped by 2 percent year over year, reaching 400 cases from January through November.
In November alone, the downward trend continued with an 18 percent decrease, reducing the monthly count to 40 incidents. The pattern signals an improving safety trajectory across Russia’s air transport sector as the year advanced.
From January through November, the agency recorded a cumulative total of 0.4 thousand incidents related to aircraft and engine malfunctions, marking a 2 percent decline relative to the same period in 2022. The data underscore a steady move toward fewer technical malfunctions and fewer disruptions in commercial operations.
December brought several notable events. On December 11, an An-12 conducted an emergency landing in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. On the same day, a flight from Khanty-Mansiysk to Moscow that had previously issued a distress signal diverted and landed at Vnukovo airport, illustrating ongoing responsiveness to in-flight alerts. These incidents reflect the continued emphasis on rapid decision-making and passenger safety during in-flight contingencies. [Agency press service via TASS]
Earlier, December 8 saw another emergency landing involving a passenger aircraft at Mineralnye Vody, with a separate landing in Novosibirsk on the same day. Flight S7 2502, traveling from Novosibirsk to Moscow, departed at 6:20 local time; during the climb, flames were observed emanating from both engines, an incident documented by passengers on board. This sequence highlights the importance of immediate crew actions and effective communication with air traffic control in managing in-flight emergencies. [Agency press service via TASS]
On December 7, a departure from Ulan-Ude resulted in a fire on the aircraft, underscoring ongoing safety challenges in particular operational segments. These events follow a period during which birds were cited as a contributing factor in some Russian aviation incidents, a point that has remained part of ongoing safety discussions among industry observers. [Agency press service via TASS]
Taken together, the monthly and cumulative figures portray a year marked by a downward trend in engine and airframe-related incidents. The convergence of improved technical reliability and sustained safety measures appears to contribute to fewer disruptions and quicker, safer responses when in-flight anomalies occur. The data also emphasize the importance of robust incident reporting, timely landings, and coordinated interventions by flight crews and dispatchers to uphold passenger and crew safety. As the year closes, stakeholders remain vigilant, focusing on continued maintenance excellence, comprehensive training, and proactive risk management to sustain this favorable trajectory for Russian air transport services. [Agency press service via TASS]