Russia may add requirements to aircraft’s technical equipment due to Boeing crash — PM

Business & Economy March 21, 2016, 16:19

According to the Russian prime minister, it is too early to make even preliminary conclusions now

GORKI, March 21. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has not ruled out that changes will be introduced to technical equipment of aircraft and air traffic regulations after reasons of the air crash in Rostov-on-Don are analyzed.

"It is too early to make even preliminary conclusions though main theories have been announced. They are typified to a certain extent, and they reflect the common approach to what might have happened," Medvedev told a session with government members on Monday.

"If any technological conclusions are needed, because apart from qualifications of the crew, this is really in our competence, as we also have international flights," he added. "If any technological questions remain, they should be analyzed. After they are analyzed, proposals should be submitted to the government to make adjustments on technical equipment, if needed, or on regulations that exist in the sphere of air traffic in our country," Medvedev said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, who is responsible for transport, reported about the work of the commission at the crash site and on runways and on resumption of flights at Rostov-on-Don airport. "The remains found at the crash site are being examined, this is necessary for completing all legal actions," Dvorkovich said.

He added that representatives of FlyDubai arrived in Rostov-on-Don, and the investigation was joined by representatives of the Boeing company. "We have already made certain conclusions on the basis of similar previous tragic accidents. Many recommendations in Russia were fulfilled. However, subjective factor remains very serious," the deputy prime minister added. "We will continue work connected with pilots’ qualifications no matter what country they represent. Of course, we should do everything possible to prevent such events at least in the skies above Russia," he concluded.

A FlyDubai’s Boeing 737-800 crashed at Rostov-on-Don’s airport in the small hours on March 19 during a second attempt to land in complicated weather conditions of strong side wind and rain. The plane served regular Flight FZ 981 from Dubai. The passenger jet capable of carrying 189 passengers had 62 people aboard, including the crew. None has survived.

The investigation is looking into several leads: a piloting error, a technical malfunction, bad weather conditions, and others.

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