The Indo-Russian Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter faced a major technical problem on Sunday and had to abort its second test flight at an air show here, causing a temporary setback to the fifth generation combat jet project.
“The T-50 fighter aborted the takeoff for technical reasons due to engine overflow and pilot Sergei Bogdan decided to apply emergency brakes with the tail parachute,” a Russian news agency reported, quoting defence industry sources.
Earlier, the agency RIA Novosti reported that a flash was seen during the takeoff. The aircraft landed with a parachute at the MAKS-2011 International Aviation and Space Show.
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A senior aviation expert said an emergency landing was normal for test flights, especially in high humidity and “taking into account the safety of the air show visitors.”
The closing day of the air show was marred by heavy rain.