Russian Patriot Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:02 am
An-22 military transport aircraft crashes in central Russia
RIA Novosti
02:53 29/12/2010
MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti) - An Antonov An-22 military transport aircraft crashed on late Tuesday on the border of the Tula and Oryol Regions in central Russia, the Defense Ministry said.
"An-22 aircraft en route to the airport of Migalovo disappeared from the radar screens at 21:30 Moscow time [18:30 GMT]. The search for the aircraft is underway, the location of the crash scene is still unknown," a spokesman for the ministry said.
According to preliminary information, about 12 people were on board of the Russian Air Force aircraft, a source in the ministry said.
"Considering that the aircraft disappeared from the radar screens at 21:30 and there are still no messages from the crew and the passengers we may allege that they are dead. However, it is only an allegation since we have not yet located the aircraft," the source said.
He said one of the reasons behind the crash might be a failure of aviation equipment, particularly an engine failure.
Alexander Yevteyev, a deputy governor of the Tula Region, confirmed that the aircraft was not found yet, but said it is still early to speak about the crash and the casualties.
"According to the Defense Ministry, the plane disappeared from the radars and the communication was lost. It is unknown what has happened in reality. Perhaps, it was a forced landing. Such things happen," he said.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-101229-rianovosti02.htm
Engine failure suspected as cause of crash as Tu-95 and An-22 fleet grounded
RIA Novosti
12:15 29/12/2010
MOSCOW December 29 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Air Force command has grounded the entire fleet of its Antonov An-22 transports and Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers after an An-22 was destroyed in a crash on Tuesday killing all twelve crew on board, the Force says.
The fact that the Air Force has decided to ground all Tu-95s suggests that engine failure is strongly suspected as the cause - both aircraft types share the Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop, the largest engine of its kind in the world.
"In order to maintain safety in using these aircraft, which both use this engine, the air force command has decided to suspend operations until the reason for the accident is clear," an Air Force spokesman said.
The An-22 departed from Voronezh airport at 21.00 on Tuesday for the Migalovo airport in Tver region but disappeared from radar screens a few minutes after departure. The remains of the aircraft were found near the village of Krasny Oktyabr in Tula region, about 100 km from Tula.
The An-22 remains the largest turboprop powered aircraft in the world. Around 45 remain in service with the Russian Air Force and most are over 40 years old.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-101229-rianovosti03.htm
Flight recorder, body fragments 'found' at Russian crash site
RIA Novosti
20:20 29/12/2010
MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti) - A flight recorder and body fragments have been discovered at the central Russian crash site of an Antonov An-22 Cock heavy transport aircraft, investigators said Wednesday.
Air Force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said however it was too early to speak of finding a black box. "We can't yet identify the discovered pieces as the black boxes," he said.
The An-22, carrying a crew of 12, departed from central Russia's Voronezh on Tuesday evening for the Tver Region, but disappeared from radar screens a few minutes after takeoff. The remains of the aircraft were found near the village of Krasny Oktyabr in the Tula Region.
The Russian Air Force said it grounded the entire fleet of its An-22 transports and Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers after the crash. The decision suggests that engine failure is strongly suspected as the cause - both aircraft types share the Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop, the largest engine of its kind in the world.
The An-22 remains the largest turboprop powered aircraft in the world. Around 45 remain in service with the Russian Air Force and most are over 40 years old.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-101229-rianovosti04.htm
Three Articles all stating new info as they get lower!