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Kyrgyz President Left Without Airplane
// Tu-154 collided with an American refueler
A serious incident happened in Manas airport of Bishkek, which became known yesterday. President’s aircraft Tu-154 with passengers on board collided with KC-135 refueler of US Air Force when Tu-154 was taking off. US airplane was set on fire. Tu’s wing was broken off. However, Tu made a circle above the city and managed to land safely.
The accident happened on Tuesday night, at 8:07 p.m. local time. Tu-154, owned by Kyrgyzstan national carrier, was making Bishkek-Osh-Moscow flight with 52 passengers and 9 members of crew on board. Tu had already taken off when an American military refueler KC-135 Stratotanker appeared on Tu’s way. The refueler was moving away from the runway after landing.
Tu failed to escape the collision. However, it got off despite its right wing that had been cut off. The airplane made a circle above the airport and crash-landed. There are no victims. It was the American plane that suffered more. It belongs to a US military base located in Manas airport. It burst into flame after the collision, and the fire destroyed its first engine and a part of its left wing.
Manas airport was closed right after the accident, and reopened at 8 a.m. yesterday. The Tu-154 aircraft was the last working plane that remained since the Soviet times. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev used this airplane for his visits abroad. On other days, the plane carried passengers.
Beside Tu, there are 2 Boeings 737-200, owned by private companies. Yet, experts say both liners are way past the age of 30 years, and their condition is much worse than that of the damaged Tu.
Bek Orozaliev, Bishkek
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 28, 2006
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