To some of us, there doesn’t seem to be much mystery about the crash of a demonstrator Sukhoi Superjet 100 in Indonesia just over two weeks ago.
The pilot requested permission to descend too low, and then in poor visibility experienced a ‘controlled flight into terrain’ – or, in layman’s terms, he accidentally flew his plane into the side of a mountain. Ooops.
But Russian military intelligence has a different view of things. Oh yes. Refusing to accept that a Russian pilot would be capable of making such an error, they are suggesting that some type of US industrial sabotage was the cause of the crash, echoing earlier claims over the last year or so that maybe the US has used lasers and other means to sabotage failed satellite launches, too.
The really worrying thing? Some of these people doubtless truly believe this claim. And they have nuclear weapons.
More details here.
A unique theory in that the niche the aircraft is supposed to serve has no Boeing or Airbus competition. All of the aircraft in that size and range category are being offered either by the Canadians or the Brazilians–and someday–perhaps the Chinese.
It will take months before the final accident investigation report be issued by the Indonasian flight safety autorities. However the report content and recommendations must be validated and accepted by all interested parties in including the aircraft manifacturer, the flight safety organisation responsible for the investigation, the Superjet international organisation, the SCAC and also all superjet main equipment suppliers which are numerous. This agreement may take months to obtain as all involved parties have interests to preserve and it is foreseen that the first version of the report will significantly differ from the last version to be issued to general public as every word is going to be fought before an agreement is finally obtained. This validation process is valid not only valid for this accident but also for all aircraft accident.
A lot of arm twisting during negotiation is going to involved in the process.
However, all facts from the preliminary voice recorder and the flight data recorder analysis revealed that the pilot brought the airplane into a dangerous mountainous area during bad weather countrary to it flight plan.
There is no indication at this moment of any aircraft malfunction though the Electronic Locator Transmitter(ELT) failed to function after the crash. It was either destroyed during the violent accident, or was installed but not functional or was either not installed as this aircraft was called up in a hurry to replace the first one that had a minor engine problem. The russian autorities are performing an enquiries about this aircraft preparation before it was flown to the Indonasia.
By the time the final report be issued to general public the aircraft manufacturer will continue to produce aircraft according to a modified delivery schedule to its most solid customer and its marketting organisation Superjet international will scour all clients to reassure them that the aircraft safety is by no means involved in this accident and that this aircraft is the one they need. The final consequence of this aircraft accident over a few years span will be a further delay in aircraft delivery and also a lowering of the aircraft price tag to airlines as they will use this accident as an obstacle to the long and difficult contract signing process.