The arrester wire, which is designed to catch the landing plane, snapped

It is believed to have been on a bombing mission in Syria, pilot survived

The plane was coming in to land on the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov

A Russian Navy jet has crashed into the Mediterranean while operating from the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

The Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker jet reportedly crashed on Saturday, the second such incident involving Russian forces deployed in Syria.

The Aviationist reported the plane crashed at its second attempt to land on the aircraft carrier in good weather conditions.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said the arrester wire, which is designed to catch the aircraft as it comes into land on the carrier's short runway, snapped.

The Sukhoi Su-33 (pictured) is a variation of the Su-27, adapted for use on aircraft carriers

The plane skidded off the end of the runway but the pilot ejected before it hit the water and he was later picked up by a Russian Navy search and rescue helicopter.

'Naval aviation sorties are continuing in accordance with the schedule,' the defence ministry said in a statement.

It comes only two weeks after a MiG-29K jet crashed on its way back to the carrier.

The plane failed to land on the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov (pictured)

Naval aviation sorties are continuing in accordance with the schedule Russian Defence Ministry

This latest crash is another blow to the Russians, who specificially brought the carrier to the Mediterranean so they could launch airstrikes against rebel-held areas of Aleppo.

The first incident, on November 14, happened just days after the flotilla of Russian warships arrived in the eastern Mediterranean after being sent to back up a bombing campaign in support of Moscow's ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

The battle group has travelled from the North Sea through the English Channel in the biggest such naval deployment in recent years as part of Russia's military intervention in Syria.

Russia has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria for the past year in support of President Assad and has deployed a naval contingent to back up its operation.

The Sukhoi Su-33 (pictured) has been heavily involved in bombing missions over Syria

The naval task force has been monitored closely by NATO, whose chief Jens Stoltenberg voiced concern the ships would be used to support the Russian military operation in Syria and 'increase human and civilian suffering.'

The commander of the carrier, Sergei Artamonov, said last month: 'Flights are being carried out from the deck... they are working on coordination with the shore port.

'The flights have been going on practically every day for the last four days.'