A next-gen combat aircraft Sukhoi Su-35 went off the runway and was completely destroyed during engine test at the range in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia’s Far East.

The aircraft was fourth of its kind and was equipped with upgraded engines. During land test on Sunday, Su-35’s brake system failed and the speeding jet went off the runway and its left engine caught fire, according to eyewitness reports. The official investigation into the reasons of the incident is underway.

The pilot Evgeny Frolov ejected just before the vehicle crashed into a border barrier and was taken to hospital with burns and other injuries.

Sukhoi started flight tests of Su-35 in February 2008. So far three aircraft have been built logging almost 100 flights total. With the fourth prototype on the wing, the producer hoped to reach 150-160 score by midyear. Sunday crash will not affect the production schedule, according to Sukhoi.

Su-35 is a “generation 4++” fighter jet with superior manoeuvrability, upgraded phased-band radar array and new cockpit instrumentations. Sukhoi plans to launch series production by 2010. The cost of the jet which crushed on Sunday is estimated at $US 36-38 million.