The Investigative Committee has begun a formal review of the incident after a passenger jet veered off the runway at Saransk Airport, prompting an immediate response from investigators and aviation authorities. This development was confirmed by the press service of the Interregional Investigation Department of the Transport Center within the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, with updates provided to the national news service TASS. The move signals the start of a systematic inquiry into the sequence of events that led to the aircraft leaving the pavement and any contributing factors that may have influenced the outcome of the landing. The inquiry will focus on airline operations, air traffic control communications, and maintenance records to establish a clear timeline and determine responsibility where applicable.
An official familiar with the process stated that investigators have commenced fieldwork and are collecting evidence at the scene. This typically includes securing the wreckage, retrieving flight data and cockpit voice recorders if available, interviewing crew members and witnesses, and reviewing all relevant procedures followed during approach, landing, and taxiing on the runway. The objective is to determine whether human error, mechanical issues, weather conditions, or other external factors played a role in the incident and to recommend measures to prevent recurrence. The ongoing nature of the investigation means that preliminary statements may evolve as more data becomes available and experts complete their forensic analysis.
Aviation services provided by the airport and related authorities indicate that the Superjet 100 aircraft involved remains situated on the runway area, where it will undergo a careful assessment to verify structural integrity and any potential hazards to other operations at the facility. In such cases, specialists coordinate with air safety inspectors to ensure the safe handling of the aircraft, coordinate access for technicians, and maintain security measures around the site. Any irregularities discovered during the initial inspection could influence the operational status of the airport and the timeline for resuming normal inbound and outbound traffic, which is critical for local air travel and associated services.
Earlier reports noted that following the runway excursion, Saransk Airport briefly halted both inbound and outbound aircraft movements to enable the secure management of the incident and to conduct safety checks of adjacent runways and approach procedures. According to early information, there were no reported injuries among passengers or crew, and the scene was managed to minimize disruption while preserving evidence for the investigation. Airports often implement temporary restrictions of this kind to protect personnel and ensure that all safety protocols are observed while the inquiry unfolds and recovery work proceeds according to established aviation safety standards.
A short time later, authorities acknowledged an emergency landing at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The involved aircraft had taken off from Khabarovsk and was en route to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur when a windshield failure occurred shortly after departure. The captain elected to return to the departure airport as a precautionary measure, and the flight carried 69 passengers alongside 4 crew members. In these situations, crew decision making is scrutinized to determine whether the crew acted within established procedures to protect the lives of everyone on board and to assess the effectiveness of the aircraft’s systems in the face of in-flight anomalies. No major injuries were initially reported, and passengers were accommodated with standard safety and support arrangements upon landing and at subsequent checkpoints as the investigation proceeds.
Subsequent coverage has highlighted a broader pattern wherein birds have increasingly intersected with aviation activities, prompting ongoing discussions among regulators and operators about wildlife management near flight paths, the deployment of deterrents, and the implementation of enhanced inspection protocols for aircraft prior to takeoff. Investigations into such factors are integral parts of ensuring that fleets meet safety benchmarks and that airports maintain robust wildlife control programs. By examining each incident in depth and sharing lessons learned with the wider aviation community, authorities aim to reduce the likelihood of repeat events and to bolster overall confidence in air travel safety for passengers across the country.