Moskovsky Komsomolets: “Aircraft to be re-equipped with modern systems”
Unserviceable aircraft are to be withdrawn from the market.
On Monday, Chairperson of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) Tatyana Anodina reported to the prime minister that no failure had been discovered in the systems of Yak-42 which crashed in Yaroslavl with the Lokomotiv ice hockey team on board.
"The engines worked until the plane collided with obstacles. The horizontal stabilizer and the flaps were in proper position for takeoff. No single commands testifying to the equipment's failure have been discovered on the flight data recorder so far. It has been established that the aircraft's takeoff mass was within the acceptable range," said Anodina. As she reported, the weather conditions could not have been the reason for the tragedy either. At present, experts of the Flight Research Institute are preparing for a full-scale field experiment.
Anodina also reported that the IAC contacted the investigating bodies of all countries that had lost citizens in the Yak-42 crash. "They have expressed their readiness to take part in the investigation if necessary," she said.
"You've mentioned that all the technical parameters from the recorders show that all of the equipment worked normally. Nevertheless, it is necessary to find out why the pilots did not activate the emergency braking system after going beyond the takeoff zone," Vladimir Putin asked chairperson of the IAC. "All aircraft must be equipped with completely modern observation and control systems, and those that cannot be re-equipped must be withdrawn from the market," demanded the prime minister.
Putin also stressed that airlines should be admitted to flights regardless of their size but provided that they comply with the safety requirements. "The size of companies does not matter; all companies, big and small, must be able to do this and to comply with these requirements. Those that do so will be able to continue operating; those that don't will be shut down. No commercial or market considerations are more important than the safety of our citizens. Ensuring security must be the priority," emphasized the prime minister.
The prime minister expects proposals for the updating of the national aircraft fleet with the latest equipment, airport infrastructure, and the training of flight crews will be submitted within next ten to twelve days.
"I would like you to submit proposals on developing modern aircraft leasing through existing leasing packages and institutions," concluded Putin.
Yelena Chinkova
