All Yak-42 Planes in Russia Being Inspected
After the Sept. 7 crash killed 43 people, including the members of a top Russian hockey team, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also announced he will personally oversee the crash investigation.
All of the Yak-42 airplanes being flown in commercial service by Russian airlines will be inspected by Sunday, aviation authorities announced as the investigation began into a Sept. 7 crash that killed 43 people, including the members of a top Russian hockey team. Russian media reported that President Dmitry Medvedev said the current quality of commercial pilots’ training in Russia will be scrutinized and the number of commercial airlines operating in the country should be reduced.
Medvedev also said he will personally oversee the crash investigation.
Two people aboard the plane –- a hockey player and a crew member -- survived. They were hospitalized in critical condition Sept. 8, the Itar-Tass News Agency and RIA Novosti reported.
Their reports indicate the plane crashed and broke up, with the cabin section falling into the Volga River, shortly after takeoff from the Yaroslavl airport after gaining little altitude and striking a locator beacon about 450 meters from the end of the runway.