Local media reports that Russian Il-76 exploded during a failed pressure test at the Aviastar plant at Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport.
The aircraft was reportedly being pressure tested on the ground when an explosion occurred. One man suffered fatal injuries, five others were injured.
The incident occurred inside the hangar where the aircraft was located. It is reported that tests were being conducted using compressed air on the fuselage compartment of the Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft.
The Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A is a new military transport aircraft developed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). It was designed to transport military equipment, armed personnel, heavy and long-size vehicles, and cargoes, apart from airdrop missions.
Il-76MD-90A can carry 126 parachutists or 145 troops in a single-deck arrangement and 225 soldiers in a double-deck arrangement. It can also house special equipment to carry 114 injured persons.
The aircraft carries an aerial-delivery system (ADS) for dropping cargoes, transportation of armed forces cargo containers and pallets, and troop parachutes.
Russian Aerospace Forces acquire a new version of the Soviet-era transport plane to modernize the service’s airlift capabilities.
