D. ATBASHYAN SAYS IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE REAL CAUSES OF THE CRASH OF TU-154 ONLY AFTER DECODING THE FLIGHT RECORDERS

ARMENPRESS
July 16, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: It will be possible to speak about the
real causes of the crash of "TU 154" airplane in Iran only after
decoding the flight recorders. Though the found flight recorders
are damaged, the experience shows that their decoding is possible,
Chairman of the National Aviation Association, USSR Honorary pilot
Dmitry Atbashyan told Armenpress.

According to him, making a comparison with other "TU-154"airplanes
accidents, the most probable version is that the airplane emerged in
the "thermal balloon". "It is an air segment, where the temperature is
much higher than it is supposed to be on such a height. The airplane
loses an abrupt speed in such a territory and the airplane just falls
down", – D. Atbashyan explained.

The engine damage has been considered as a possible variant
since yesterday, which reflects on the controllability of the
airplane. He said that as the plane was flying to Armenia, according
to international standards, Armenian professionals may also take part
in studies, investigation of causes.

For the investigation it is of great importance where the plane fell;
according to the international law the state where it fell carries
out investigations irrespective of the fact whom the plane belongs to.

The work of precipitation service is necessary to be properly examined;
maybe it was obvious that dangerous precipitation phenomena were
expected, but did not warn the crew about that or maybe those services
did not managed to reveal such phenomena at all. The investigating
commissions will carry out works with the services providing the
flights.

The crashed airplane has been exploited for 15 years, but it is not
a great age for a suchlike plane; it has calendar opportunities for
30 years, but its exploitation of 45, even 60 years is also possible.

"TU-154" airplanes can function for 60 years", – D. Atbashyan said.

The "Caspian Airlines" company belongs to Russia, too, and the
Russian side is obliged to provide the normal operational state of
the airplanes. "It is difficult to believe that Russian specialists
would allow the flight of a plane which does notoperate.