Russian Navy

Search of Tu-142 fell down in Tatarskiy Strait is unproductive so far

11/20/2009 Source: RIA Novosti

Search of Pacific Fleet's ASW aircraft Tu-142 crashed in Tatarskiy Strait on Nov 6 are conducted at sea, from the air and at coastline, although are without effect yet, said Friday Capt 1 rank Roman Martov, the head of PF Information and Public Relations Service to RIA Novosti.

Search operation of the aircraft and 11 crewmembers lasts almost two weeks. It was suspended due to bad weather caused by cyclone on Nov 14. The search was resumed after the storm calmed down on Monday, Nov 16.

"Now the weather is normal at the search area, visibility is fine, little sea disturbance. Search is in progress", said Mr. Martov.

Estimated crash site is scanned from the air by An-26 aircraft; servicemen are seeking aircraft wreckage at the coastline; SR vessel Alagez and PF ships are searching at waters of Tatarskiy Strait.

Some places were scanned by Tiger submersible remotely controlled from Alagez and also by search system Obzor-150, but no wreckage was found.

Pacific Fleet's aircraft Tu-142M3 performing training mission fell down in Tatarskiy Strait on Nov 6. There were 11 men on board the aircraft. Investigators consider three basic versions of Tu-142M3 crash – breakdown, human factor and external agency, i.e. bird entry into engine.

A criminal case was initiated on the basis of clause 351 of RF Criminal Code ("Violation of flight rules and pre-flight instructions"). That clause provides custodial sentence for a term up to seven years.

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