A tragic incident unfolded today as a Russian passenger jet crashed in the Moscow region, resulting in the loss of all three crew members on board. The aircraft, identified as the Sukhoi Superjet 100, was owned by Gazprom Avia, a carrier under the ownership of the Russian state-controlled natural gas giant Gazprom.

According to emergency officials, the flight was taking place without passengers when the crash occurred. The ill-fated plane had departed from the Lukhovitsy aircraft-making plant, located approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles) southeast of Moscow, after undergoing repairs. Its intended destination was Moscow's Vnukovo airport.

The Investigative Committee, which is responsible for state criminal investigations in Russia, has launched a probe into the crash. The Superjet 100, known by its designation as the SSJ100, was once hailed as a significant achievement for the country's civil aviation industry when it entered service in 2011. However, it has since faced challenges with its safety record.

This is not the first time a Sukhoi Superjet 100 has been involved in a fatal accident. In May 2012, an SSJ100 crashed in Indonesia during a demonstration flight, claiming the lives of all 45 individuals on board. The subsequent investigation revealed that the crew was unaware of high ground and disregarded warnings from the terrain warning system while operating in adverse weather conditions.

Another Superjet crash occurred in May 2019 at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, resulting in the deaths of 41 people. The aircraft was struck by lightning and made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff. The investigation concluded that the pilot's landing technique, which caused the plane to touch down heavily, led to a fire igniting due to unburned fuel.

Since its introduction, the Superjet 100 has faced recurring maintenance issues and high operational costs, dissuading many domestic carriers in Russia from purchasing the aircraft. Despite Russia's efforts to promote the plane globally, its overseas market penetration has been disappointing, with a few foreign customers eventually phasing out the Superjets from their fleets.

The latest crash of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 has left authorities and aviation experts pondering the long-term repercussions for the aircraft's reputation and future usage within the industry. Investigations into the crash will continue as the aviation community seeks to understand the cause of this tragic incident and work towards enhancing air travel safety.