Boeing 737 with 173 Onboard Makes Emergency Landing at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport

Moscow: A technical malfunction forced a Utair Boeing 737, carrying 173 passengers, to make an emergency landing at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport on Tuesday. The aircraft, en route from St. Petersburg to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was diverted mid-flight due to a detected stabilizer issue.

The aircraft landed safely with no reported injuries, as confirmed by Russian news outlets RIA and TASS. Utair, a major Russian airline, attributed the emergency to a stabilizer malfunction. Prompt action by the flight crew, supported by efficient ground coordination, ensured the passengers' safety.  

This incident highlights growing concerns about Russia's aviation industry, which continues to face challenges due to international sanctions. These restrictions have disrupted the supply of new aircraft and spare parts, forcing airlines to depend heavily on ageing fleets.

Vnukovo Airport Operations Restricted Amid Emergency

The emergency landing coincided with temporary operational restrictions at Vnukovo Airport on Tuesday morning.

According to Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, takeoffs and landings were suspended due to unspecified technical issues beyond the airport's control, as announced on Telegram.

The restrictions, which remained in effect until 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), resulted in several flights being diverted to other Moscow airports that continued normal operations. Although the exact reason for the suspension is unclear, some reports suggest it may be connected to drones intercepted near Moscow earlier that day.

Normal operations at Vnukovo Airport resumed shortly after the restrictions were lifted.