A Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30SM crashed in a residential area of Irkutsk in Siberia at approximately 17:30 local time, on 23 October 2022. The aircraft was part of a two-ship post-maintenance check flight, conducted by experienced test pilots.

The first aircraft completed the flight plan and returned to land at the airbase. Communication was lost with the second aircraft and after twenty minutes with no contact, the first test aircraft took off again to investigate and assist the unresponsive aircraft. The rescue aircraft located the Su-30 and visually confirmed that both pilots were unresponsive and appeared unconscious. The aircraft continued to fly and, after running out of fuel, crashed into a residential building in the Novo-Lenino district.

No aircrew were observed ejecting from the aircraft.

A subsequent investigation determined that the cause of the accident was a faulty life-support system. This caused the aircrew to lose consciousness. Russian military telegram channels (FighterBomber) are reporting on accusations that the ground crew installed nitrogen bottles in the aircraft’s life support system, instead of oxygen. 

Killed in the crash:

Maksym Konyushin Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation

Major Viktor Kryukov Military Pilot of the Second Class Test Pilot of the Third Class

Maksym Konyushin Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation
Maksym Konyushin

Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation

Major Viktor Kryukov, Military Pilot of the Second Class, Test Pilot of the Third Class
Major Viktor Kryukov

Military Pilot of the Second-Class, Test Pilot of the Third-Class