Russian investigators are to probe an incident involving a Rossiya Airbus A319 which experienced an engine event while transporting the Saudi Arabian national football team to Rostov-on-Don.
Federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia says the aircraft experienced an occurrence of "abnormal operating conditions", involving one of its two CFM International CFM56 engines, on approach to Rostov's new Platov airport just after 21:00 on 18 June.
While passengers noticed the incident, which included the "release of flame" from the nozzle, the regulator says that, according to the crew, there was no fire alarm and no instrument indications requiring an engine shutdown or extinguisher activation.
Both powerplants were still operating during the landing and there was no threat to flight safety, adds Rosaviatsia, but it will nevertheless classify the event as an incident and carry out an investigation.
Preliminary indications point to the aircraft involved as being VP-BNB, although Rosaviatsia has not formally confirmed the identity. The Saudi Arabian team on board had been travelling to Rostov for a World Cup tournament match against Uruguay on 20 June.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
