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Medvedev creates commission to investigate Superject incident

On May 9, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 made a flight demonstration within the air show in Indonesia

MOSCOW, May 10 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has instructed the Industry Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and the United Aircraft-Building Corporation to investigate the incident with the Sukhoi Superjet 100 that went missing in Indonesia on Wednesday, May 9.

Under the prime minister’s instruction, a commission will be set up and be led by Industry and Trade Deputy Minister Yuri Slyusar.

On May 9, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 made a flight demonstration within the air show in Indonesia. The first flight was normal. According to information from Indonesia, communication with the jet was lost 20 minutes after the flight.

The rescue operation is being conducted in the area of the Salak volcano. The ground operation will take place all night long. The headquarters has been formed in Indonesia and it involves representatives of the Russian Embassy and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company.

Reports on passengers aboard the jet are different. According to local airlines, a total of 50 people were aboard the plane, including eight Russian citizens, two Italians, one French and one U.S. citizen, and 38 Indonesian citizens. Press attach· of the Russian Embassy in Jakarta Dmitry Solodov said, “A total of 44 people are aboard the jet. Among them are eight Russians and 36 Indonesian citizens.” “Foreign citizens are representatives of Indonesian companies and local mass media,” the diplomat added.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a regional 100-site plane, which was designed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company with the participation of Alenia Aermacchi. The range for the baseline is of 3,048 kilometres. The range with increased speed is of 4,578 kilometres.

At present, Armavia and Aeroflot – Russian Airlines have eight Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes. As of the middle of April the planes have made over 3,350 commercial flights with about 6,500 flying hours. There are about 170 orders for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes.

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