Wreckage of Russian Sukhoi Superjet found; no survivors
The wreckage of a missing Russian Sukhoi Superjet that disappeared over Indonesia during a demonstration flight with 50 people on board was found Thursday on the side of a mountain volcano.
There appeared to be no signs of survivors in the wreckage of the Sukhoi Superjet 100.
The Superjet the first new model of passenger jet produced in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union two decades ago was in Indonesia to woo new customers.
The plane took off from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in the Indonesian capital Jakarta Wednesday afternoon with journalists and airline representatives on board for its second demonstration flight of the day.
However, it disappeared from the radar screens and lost contact with ground staff after it requested for permission to descend to 6,000 feet from 10,000 feet over West Java.
The crash of the jetliner has dealt a crushing blow to Russia's national aerospace industry.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said investigators had been dispatched to the crash site.
"We don't know what has happened, so rescue efforts for survivors is the priority," Yudhoyono said in a televised address.
Search and rescue workers who reached the wreckage on the slopes of Mount Salak on the island of Java Thursday afternoon discovered several bodies, AP reported.
RIA Novosti news agency said the captain was Alexander Yablontsev, 57, a veteran pilot.
The Superjet 100 was produced by the government-controlled Sukhoi company, which is known for its fighter planes.
Source: The Asia News.Net
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