--- title: "Su-57 Felon Advanced Fighter Crashes In Russia (Updated)" description: "The jet went down not far from the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant in Russia's Far East. It is the first total loss for the type." date: "2019-12-24" modified: "2019-12-24" authors: - name: "Tyler Rogoway" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway" url: "https://www.twz.com/31620/su-57-felon-advanced-fighter-crashes-in-russia" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Bunkers & Installations" - "Europe" - "Fighters" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Su-57" tags: - "Crash" - "Fighter" - "Komsomolsk-on-Amur" - "Mishap" - "russia" - "Su-57" - "Sukhoi" - "T-50" --- # Su-57 Felon Advanced Fighter Crashes In Russia (Updated) ![]() *www.twz.com* A Russian Su-57 has crashed roughly 68 miles from the [Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant]() in Russia's Far East. The jet belonged to Sukhoi and was executing a flight test at the time of the incident. The pilot ejected and was recovered alive by an Mi-8 search and rescue helicopter not long after the crash. It is the first total loss of a Su-57, although one of the type's T-50 prototypes was badly damaged [due to an engine fire]() in 2014. [Just over a dozen]() T-50/Su-57s have been delivered since the type first flew nearly a decade ago. For a time, it looked as if production was in doubt, [especially as an export]() partner for the jet [remains elusive](), but the Russian Ministry of Defense announced [it would order 76]() of the advanced fighters last May. [Specialized weapons continue]() to be [developed for the jet]() and the advanced fighter is being [used to test interoperability]() with the country's "Hunter" unmanned combat air vehicles. You can read more about the Su-57's unique strengths and weaknesses in [this past feature]() of ours. ***Update: 2:38 AM PST—*** [*TASS* reports]() that a flight control system failure caused the crash, with one source stating it had to do with the aircraft's tail control surfaces. [*Interfax* reports]() the aircraft was the first production Su-57 ever and it was supposed to be delivered to the Russian Air Force by year's end. If this is the case, it would be a significant blow to the program on a number of levels. We will update this article with more information as it comes available. ***Update: 6:40 AM PST—*** *TV Zvezda*, an official outlet of the Russian Ministry of Defense, [says]() that Su-57 exploded when it hit the ground and was totally destroyed. Multiple outlets are also now reporting that aircraft was indeed the first serial production example. State-run media outlet *RIA Novosti* has reported that the mishap occurred [during an engine test](), but it remains unclear if engine trouble was the actual cause of the accident. [Some Russian media reports]() have pointed to a potential failure in the Su-57's engine control system, but *TASS* continues to report that its sources say the issue was in the flight control system. *Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com* ## Author Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day. ### Author social links [Twitter]()