Wreckage of Sukoi Superjet found in Java; no survivors
10 May 2012
The wreckage of the demonstration version of the Sukoi Superjet-100, Russia's first new passenger plane, was found in a remote area of Indonesia today after it crashed into a steep volcanic mountainside on Wednesday, just 20 minutes after taking off.
A helicopter spotted the shattered wreckage. All 45 people on board, comprising mostly potential buyers and journalists, are feared dead, as the plane's remains were scattered all over the forested hillside.
All but 10 of the 45 people on board were potential buyers and journalists, according to reports. The others were Russians, all from Sukhoi companies, an American consultant with a local airline and a Frenchman with aircraft engine-maker Snecma.
The "Welcome Asia!" tour also included stops in Pakistan, Myanmar and Kazakhstan, and was supposed to head next to Vietnam and Laos.
"From the pictures we're seeing, it looks like it was a total loss," said Daryatmo, chief of the national search and rescue agency, as the first images flashed across local TV.
Search and rescue spokesman Gagah Prakoso said his teams reached the steep slopes of Mount Salak on the island of Java this afternoon. They spotted several bodies, which will have to be placed in nets and lifted by ropes to hovering helicopters.
