The Russian Aeroflot Airlines plane that made an emergency landing, ablaze, in Moscow on Sunday 5 May had been hit by lightning says the pilot. Of the 78 passengers and crew onboard, 41 people lost their lives, with eleven others injured.The Sukhoi Superjet 100 made an emergency crash landing at Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport on Sunday 6.30pm local time (1.30am AEST) just after takeoff.Flight Su-1492 took off at 6.02pm [local time] as scheduled but soon after crew requested a return to the airport citing a problem. A first emergency landing was unsuccessful and on the second attempt at 6.30pm, the aircraft’s landing gear hit the ground, followed by the nose, and erupted in flames.Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had opened an investigation. IMAGE:The Aeroflot Airlines aircraft covered in fire retardant foam at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow/Moscow News Agency via APSource:AP AeroflotairlinesRussia read more