Sukhoi-33 Jet Crashes While Landing On Admiral Kuznetsov Carrier

via TASS

Russia’s Sukhoi-33 fighter jet crashed in the Mediterranean while landing on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement obtained by TASS.

"After performing a combat mission over Syria, a Sukhoi-33 fighter-jet overran the runway while trying to land on The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. The arresting cable’s rupture was the reason," the report says.

The pilot ejected himself and was promptly taken on board the Admiral Kuznetsov by search and rescue service. His live is not in danger, the Defense Ministry said.

"Deck aircraft keep performing their missions," the report runs. The Russian aircraft carrier-led group keeps operating in the Mediterranean in accordance with the long voyage plan.

In an earlier blog post I asked why the Russian Navy would push for this deployment.  There are secure air bases for Russian Naval Aviation to operate from and if it was about getting a piece of the action then they could get their pilots into the fight without rushing the carrier out to sea.

Now we have these crashes and the thinking of Russian Naval Command has to be questioned.  Don't get me wrong.  Accidents happen, but to see this number of crashes on a ship that carries so few aircraft indicates that they weren't ready for prime time.

Russian surface ships have shined in firing off cruise missiles at select targets.  Surface ships have integrated themselves into Syria's air defense net and extended the eyes of their network.  Russian Marines have shown brightly as have Russian paratroops.  Russia's bomber force had their day in the sun performing long range strikes.

The only hiccup has come with their carrier aviation. I wonder how many heads will roll because of this.