
Su-57 Felon Advanced Fighter Crashes In Russia (Updated)
The jet went down not far from the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant in Russia's Far East. It is the first total loss for the type.

A Russian Su-57 has crashed roughly 68 miles from the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant in Russia's Far East. The jet belonged to Sukhoi and was executing a flight test at the time of the incident. The pilot ejected and was recovered alive by an Mi-8 search and rescue helicopter not long after the crash. It is the first total loss of a Su-57, although one of the type's T-50 prototypes was badly damaged due to an engine fire in 2014.
Just over a dozen T-50/Su-57s have been delivered since the type first flew nearly a decade ago. For a time, it looked as if production was in doubt, especially as an export partner for the jet remains elusive, but the Russian Ministry of Defense announced it would order 76 of the advanced fighters last May. Specialized weapons continue to be developed for the jet and the advanced fighter is being used to test interoperability with the country's "Hunter" unmanned combat air vehicles. You can read more about the Su-57's unique strengths and weaknesses in this past feature of ours.
Update: 2:38 AM PST—
TASS reports that a flight control system failure caused the crash, with one source stating it had to do with the aircraft's tail control surfaces. Interfax reports the aircraft was the first production Su-57 ever and it was supposed to be delivered to the Russian Air Force by year's end. If this is the case, it would be a significant blow to the program on a number of levels.
We will update this article with more information as it comes available.
Update: 6:40 AM PST—
TV Zvezda, an official outlet of the Russian Ministry of Defense, says that Su-57 exploded when it hit the ground and was totally destroyed. Multiple outlets are also now reporting that aircraft was indeed the first serial production example.
State-run media outlet RIA Novosti has reported that the mishap occurred during an engine test, but it remains unclear if engine trouble was the actual cause of the accident. Some Russian media reports have pointed to a potential failure in the Su-57's engine control system, but TASS continues to report that its sources say the issue was in the flight control system.
Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com
-
RELATEDNo, The Su-57 Isn't 'Junk:' Six Features We like On Russia's New FighterThe Su-57 is not an F-22, it's not meant to be, but it packs some novel attributes to offset what it lacks in stealth, at least to a limited degree.READ NOW
-
RELATEDRussia Now Claims It Will Buy 76 Su-57 Advanced Fighter Jets By 2028The cost estimates raise immediate red flags and, whatever the final price tag, the first of these production jets will remain underpowered.READ NOW
-
RELATEDRussia Says UAE Could Help Build Su-57s As Gulf Nation Puts F-35 Ambitions On HoldThe Russians need a partner to help share the costs of the Su-57 program and are offering a similar deal to other potential customers.READ NOW
-
RELATEDWatch Russia's S-70 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Fly With An Su-57 For The First TimeRussia says one of the primary goals of the program is to be able to operate both of these aircraft together in manned-unmanned teams.READ NOW
-
RELATED"We're Buying This One?" Turkey's Erdogan Asks Putin In Front Of Su-57 Fighter At Air ShowTurkey is in the market for a new advanced fighter after getting locked out of the F-35 program over its purchase of the S-400 air defense system.READ NOW