Irkutsk Catastrophe Is Thought Technogenic
Government investigators probing into the crash of Airbus A-310 of S7 Airlines in Irkutsk airport, Siberia, are focused on the possibility that the tragedy happened because of the failure of aircraft’s mechanisms. Nevertheless, it is yet unknown, who will be finally liable for the malfunction that killed 128 people – whether the airline itself or maker of A-310 or the maintenance station that serviced it.
Airbus A-310 of S7 Airlines (formerly known as Sibir (Siberia)) was carrying 204 people, when it skidded off the runway and crashed Sunday morning in Irkutsk airport.
The primarily lead of the government’s commission is the technical failure, a source close to the commission said on condition of anonymity. The difficult landing conditions (the rain-slick and short runway) are considered only as an accompanying circumstance, while the probability of pilots’ error is thought minimal, the source specified.
Two flight data recorders from the plane were delivered for deciphering to Interstate Aviation Committee, Moscow. The preliminary results of investigation will be announced only after it, said Russia’s Transport Minister Igor Levitin, who chairs the government’s commission.
The deciphering won’t be easy though, as the parametric recorder was damaged. The condition of the speech recorder is satisfactory. “In this situation, black boxes are yet to be opened, and only then, one may proceed to deciphering,” explained representatives of Interstate Aviation Committee.
The bodies of 69 people were identified as of 8:00 p.m., Irkutsk time, Tuesday; 42 people are treated in Irkutsk hospitals and 12 victims with severe wounds were carried to Moscow.
Irkutsk Region’s investigators are interrogating witnesses and 150 people have testified already.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 12, 2006
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