An Airbus A320 operated by Ural Airlines has remained grounded in a Siberian wheat field since its emergency landing in September due to a hydraulic failure that led to a low-fuel situation. The aircraft, carrying nearly 170 passengers, was forced to ditch in the field instead of making it to a diversion airport. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and passengers received compensation of approximately $1,100 each.
Initially, Ural Airlines had plans to retrieve and repair the stranded aircraft, as indicated by updates shared on Telegram late last year. However, logistical challenges and financial constraints have compelled the airline to reconsider. An airline representative disclosed to the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the plan to return the aircraft to service has been abandoned. "We assess all the risks and are inclined to not use this aircraft in commercial operation, taking into account the fact that in the current conditions there is no support from the manufacturer Airbus," Ural Airlines stated.
The airline explored several options for extracting the aircraft, including using a temporary runway constructed from slabs or taking off from a frozen surface during the winter. Nonetheless, issues such as soil density and the logistical difficulty of transporting necessary materials from Novosibirsk, roughly 120 miles away, made these options unfeasible. Ural Airlines has incurred costs of around 10.5 million rubles (about $112,000) for maintenance, land rental, fencing, and security.
Despite the decision not to restore the A320 to operational status, Ural Airlines plans to eventually remove the aircraft from the site, likely dismantling it and transporting it in sections via helicopter.
This incident leaves Ural Airlines with a reduced fleet of 25 Airbus A320s, in addition to its four A319s and 22 A321s, totaling 51 aircraft. The loss is particularly impactful given the current shortage of available planes due to Western sanctions that restrict Russian carriers from acquiring Boeing and Airbus jets. Nevertheless, the airline might still salvage parts from the A320 for use in other aircraft, mitigating some losses as the sanctions also hinder access to spare parts.
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Initially, Ural Airlines had plans to retrieve and repair the stranded aircraft, as indicated by updates shared on Telegram late last year. However, logistical challenges and financial constraints have compelled the airline to reconsider. An airline representative disclosed to the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the plan to return the aircraft to service has been abandoned. "We assess all the risks and are inclined to not use this aircraft in commercial operation, taking into account the fact that in the current conditions there is no support from the manufacturer Airbus," Ural Airlines stated.
The airline explored several options for extracting the aircraft, including using a temporary runway constructed from slabs or taking off from a frozen surface during the winter. Nonetheless, issues such as soil density and the logistical difficulty of transporting necessary materials from Novosibirsk, roughly 120 miles away, made these options unfeasible. Ural Airlines has incurred costs of around 10.5 million rubles (about $112,000) for maintenance, land rental, fencing, and security.
Despite the decision not to restore the A320 to operational status, Ural Airlines plans to eventually remove the aircraft from the site, likely dismantling it and transporting it in sections via helicopter.
This incident leaves Ural Airlines with a reduced fleet of 25 Airbus A320s, in addition to its four A319s and 22 A321s, totaling 51 aircraft. The loss is particularly impactful given the current shortage of available planes due to Western sanctions that restrict Russian carriers from acquiring Boeing and Airbus jets. Nevertheless, the airline might still salvage parts from the A320 for use in other aircraft, mitigating some losses as the sanctions also hinder access to spare parts.
A Russian airline that ditched an Airbus A320 in a Siberian wheat field last year is abandoning plans to rescue the jet
A low-fuel situation forced the pilots to ditch the A320 in a Siberian wheat field seven months ago, and now its getting scrapped for good.
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