PanARMENIAN.Net

IAC Says A-320 Crash Investigation Impartial and Independent
28.07.2006 14:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) has issued a
statement which says that the investigation of the Armavia-owned A-320
crash was impartial and independent. `The investigation was carried
out in accordance with the standards of the international civil
aviation and with observance of the rules of investigation of aviation
incidents. There was no limitation for the participation of the
committee members and experts, including the Armenian
specialists. Russia, Armenia or France did not exert any political
pressure upon the committee either,’ the IAC statement says. The
committee included experts from Russia, Armenian and French aviation
departments, high-class test-pilots and engineers.

The IAC found out that the `when landing with the robot pilot on the
plane was exactly at the glidepath in a landing configuration when by
the order of the flying control officer the crew stopped landing and
proceeded to right turn with gaining height. In the process of turning
the pilot-in-command switched off the robot pilot and thus led the
plane to landing. At that there was no essential control by the
co-pilot while the further actions of the crew were incoordinate and
insufficient to lead the plane out of landing process.’

To remind, Armavia Armenian national carrier disagreed with the
conclusion of the Interstate Aviation Committee on the causes of A-320
crash over the Black Sea on May 3, 2006. Company owner Mikhail
Baghdasarov stated he disagreed with the conclusion of the Interstate
Aviation Committee, according to which the liner crew was considered
guilty of the death of 113 passengers. `The Interstate Aviation
Committee conclusion can be appealed against,’ he said. Besides, a
representative of the Central Board of Civil Aviation of Armenia
stated that, `the Interstate Aviation Committee had probably made a
political decision and Armenia has nothing to add to it.’