Kolavia (Surgut) Tupolev Tu-154B-2 RA-85588 (msn 83A588) while operating flight 7K 348 yesterday (January 1) from Surgut to Moscow (Domodedovo) with 117 passengers and 18 crew according to CNN, was preparing for its takeoff from Surgut when the right engine caught fire on the taxiway. The crew could not extinguish the fire and it spread quickly into the fuselage. The passengers escaped via the exit doors. The airliner was burned out. According to this report by CNN, four people were killed and 43 were injured (four critically).

Kolavia operates domestic services in Russia. Operations started in May 1993. Its main bases are Kogalym Airport and Surgut Airport with a hub at Moscow (Domodedovo).

Surgut, Russia, is located on the Ob River near its junction with the Irtysh River, the largest in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and second largest city in Tyumen Oblast.

Surgut is one of the oldest Siberian cities. It was founded in 1594 by order of Tsar Feodor I.

The name of the city, according to one tradition, originates from the Khanty words “sur” (fish) and “gut” (hole or pit).

Kolavia: 

Watch a video via YouTube:

Read the full CNN story with a video:

CLICK HERE