Vladimir Karnozov

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) expects to complete work to resolve a tail stabilizer defect discovered in Sukhoi SSJ100s during a routine inspection on December 22 by the end of January, according to the Russian regional jet manufacturer.


As 2016 drew to a close, the Russian civil aviation authority (the Federal Agency of Air Transportation or FATA, locally known as Rosaviatsiya) approved methods suggested by the manufacturer to fix the earlier discovered defects related to stabilizer attachments points. It also authorized the plan to conduct the work necessary.


The authority issued two Airworthiness Directives on the subject, on December 23 and December 28. The first directive recommended by air safety inspectors who discovered faulty force bearing elements on several airframes repairs sticking of attachment points in the area of upper and lower stiffeners of the tail stabilizer. Inspection of the Russian-registered SSJ100s revealed problems with six aircraft operated by Aeroflot and one by Irkutsk-based regional airline IrAero.


The second directive calls for replacement of the attachment stiffeners with new ones.


According to the manufacturer, the defect does not relate to construction material quality or manufacturing methods; rather, inspectors have traced the problem to incorrect installation of stiffeners. SCAC further said the defect does not amount to a critical issue because the attachment of the stabilizer incorporates “a multilevel redundancy system and a large amount of excessive strength, twice exceeding loadings observed in flight operation.” Work on a single aircraft takes several days.


According to the Russian authority, the SSJ100 fleet can operate normally–without restrictions on flight envelope--while the manufacturer performs work to eliminate the defects discovered. At the same time, the authority has prescribed weekly checks of the stabilizer attachment points-- instead of the daily checks recommended now--upon completion of the work.


Among Russian SSJ100 operators, the largest—Aeroflot—appears the least affected by the directives, as its Superjets continued flying regular services. Among Western operators, Interjet of Mexico had to temporarily ground half of its 22-strong SSJ100 fleet until it completed checks and defect-rectification work. Dublin-based CityJet, which now flies three SSJ100s, continued flying its airplanes as usual after performing requisite checks on December 24 and finding no anomalies.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Sukhoi Promises Stabilizer Fixes on All Superjets in January

Defect grounds some SSJ100s, others unaffected 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

French start-up's new headquarters is located at Rochefort Airport

VoltAero Opens Assembly Facility for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

More In Aircraft