Aircraft

Video images and photographs have emerged of the moment when an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-154 suffered an uncontained engine failure early in its take-off run at St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport.

The aircraft, an 18-year old example registered RA-85667, had been travelling at about 30kt when the left-side Soloviev D-30 engine exploded, prompting the crew to abort the departure.

Images of the aircraft clearly show debris exit damage to the cowling around the fan, and heavy fire damage to the rear of the engine.

There is also evidence of debris impact on the centre engine mount, and possibly the left wing flaps.

The incident occurred at 15:48 on 30 June as the aircraft was departing St Petersburg for Moscow Sheremetyevo.

Russian federal air transport agency Rosaviatsia says the crew experienced a “strong shock” as the engine disintegrated. It adds that the powerplant had been operating within normal thrust limits at the time.

Extinguishing systems operated and contained the fire. None of the 103 passengers and nine crew members on board was injured.

Images of the aircraft clearly show debris exit damage to the cowling around the fan, and heavy fire damage to the rear of the engine.

There is also evidence of debris impact on the centre engine mount, and possibly the left wing flaps.

The incident occurred at 15:48 on 30 June as the aircraft was departing St Petersburg for Moscow Sheremetyevo.

Russian federal air transport agency Rosaviatsia says the crew experienced a “strong shock” as the engine disintegrated. It adds that the powerplant had been operating within normal thrust limits at the time.

Extinguishing systems operated and contained the fire. None of the 103 passengers and nine crew members on board was injured.