Breaking: No Deaths in Utair 737 Crash That Caused One Engine to Catch on Fire
A passenger jet carrying 170 people overshot the runway at Sochi International Airport (AER), crashed into a fence, rolled into a nearby river and caught fire on Saturday, according to reports.
Utair Flight 579 was traveling from Moscow (VKO) to Sochi (AER). Upon landing, the Boeing 737-800 — registration VQ-BJI — overshot the runway. According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, translated from a report from TASS Russian News Agency, the 737 rolled off the runway and into a river. As a result of the overshot, a wing of the aircraft and its landing gear were destroyed. The left engine also caught on fire.
The latest information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that 164 passengers and six crewmembers were on board Utair Flight 579. The report also states there were no deaths as a result of the incident. However, 18 people were injured and one was hospitalized. One airport employee who was not on board reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack during the rescue operation, according to the BBC.
At this point, weather is believed to have played a role in the crash. A FlightRadar24 playback shows the aircraft attempting at least one failed landing.

The aircraft involved in the incident is more than 15 years old. Having taken its first flight in October 2002, the aircraft was oroginally delivered to Ryanair, where it stayed in operation until 2010. According to PlaneSpotters.net, the aircraft was then operated by Atlant-Soyuz Airlines from May 2010 until November 2010, when it was then operated by Moscow Airlines. Utair began operating the aircraft on October 7, 2011.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates...
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.

