A new Russian passenger plane has gone missing in Indonesia.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 was on a demonstration flight carrying 50 people – 42 passengers and eight crew – from Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Airport when it disappeared from radar screens. Local media reported that the aircraft may have crashed close to Mount Salak, West Java, although bad weather has hampered search and rescue efforts.
Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency meanwhile, reported air traffic controllers as saying that the pilots had requested permission to descend from 10,000 to 6,000 feet (3,050 to 1,800m) shortly before the plane disappeared.
The Superjet 100, which can seat up to 95 passengers, is the new mid-range commercial aircraft from Russian planemaker Sukhoi. It has sealed several orders from Indonesian carriers, including Sky Avation, and the company has been undertaking a regional tour to demonstrate the aircraft to existing and potential customers.
