Argument over cause of air crash continues
Source: Agencies |
August 3, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A RUSSIAN air crash investigation yesterday dismissed a Polish report saying confusing guidance by Russian air traffic controllers contributed to the 2010 crash of a Polish presidential plane.
Alexei Morozov, chief of an Interstate Aviation Committee's panel that investigated the crash, insisted the controllers had given the crew precise guidance.
He also maintained that the airport's radar and lights were functioning normally, contrary to Polish investigators' assertions.
The accident, on April 10 last year, killed President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people, including the first lady and dozens of senior officials.
It was the worst Polish disaster since World War II.
Morozov and other Russian experts were responding to last week's Polish government report claiming confusing and erroneous guidance by Russian controllers at Smolensk airport contributed to the crash.
The plane went down in heavy fog at a rudimentary airport near the western city of Smolensk, 360 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
Morozov reaffirmed his panel's conclusion that the crash occurred because the crew descended below a safe altitude in a desperate attempt to land.
Polish investigators found that the Tu-154 plane was flying about 60 meters lower than the pilots believed in the moments before the plane clipped a tree and crashed.
But they claimed the Russian air traffic controllers confirmed the plane was on the right course for descent, information that made the crew continue in the false belief it was making a proper approach.
Polish investigators have confirmed the Polish air force chief was in the cockpit shortly before the crash but said that did not play a role in the accident.
Morozov yesterday reiterated that the Russians believe the Polish official put pressure on the crew.
He conceded there were some equipment flaws at the airport but insisted they played no role in the crash.
Alexei Morozov, chief of an Interstate Aviation Committee's panel that investigated the crash, insisted the controllers had given the crew precise guidance.
He also maintained that the airport's radar and lights were functioning normally, contrary to Polish investigators' assertions.
The accident, on April 10 last year, killed President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people, including the first lady and dozens of senior officials.
It was the worst Polish disaster since World War II.
Morozov and other Russian experts were responding to last week's Polish government report claiming confusing and erroneous guidance by Russian controllers at Smolensk airport contributed to the crash.
The plane went down in heavy fog at a rudimentary airport near the western city of Smolensk, 360 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
Morozov reaffirmed his panel's conclusion that the crash occurred because the crew descended below a safe altitude in a desperate attempt to land.
Polish investigators found that the Tu-154 plane was flying about 60 meters lower than the pilots believed in the moments before the plane clipped a tree and crashed.
But they claimed the Russian air traffic controllers confirmed the plane was on the right course for descent, information that made the crew continue in the false belief it was making a proper approach.
Polish investigators have confirmed the Polish air force chief was in the cockpit shortly before the crash but said that did not play a role in the accident.
Morozov yesterday reiterated that the Russians believe the Polish official put pressure on the crew.
He conceded there were some equipment flaws at the airport but insisted they played no role in the crash.
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