Fri, May 11, 2012
MOSCOW, May 11 (Xinhua) -- A group of Russian experts have left for Indonesia to join local authorities in an investigation into a deadly plane crash involving a new model of commercial aircraft, the Russian Investigation Committee said Friday.
The new Sukhoi Superjet 100, which was on a demonstration flight in Indonesia, crashed Wednesday. At least 45 people on board are feared to have died.
The investigation would not only take place at the crash site in Indonesia, but also in Russia, committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told reporters.
"In particular, investigators will question the technical staff, who prepared the aircraft for the flight, and representatives from the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft company, which are engaged in the production of the airliner and the preparations for its operation," Markin said.
He added that a second group of Russian investigators will head for Indonesia on Saturday.
The cause of the crash remained unknown so far, but Russian Acting Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin hinted Thursday that human errors might be behind the tragedy.
"According to initial opinions of experts, the avionics functioned well, so the human factor is possible," he said.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 was the first commercial plane developed by Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
