Russia - Downed Jet was Backup Model - NYTimes.com The Russian passenger airliner that crashed during a demonstration flight in Indonesia last week, killing 45 people, was a backup the manufacturer had sent to complete a promotional tour though Asia after the first airplane broke down. The first plane, a new model called the Superjet, had an engine problem in Pakistan. The switch was not a factor in the crash, Russia's lead investigator into the accident told state television.