Russia to Build New An-148 for Myanmar in Place of Crashed Plane

09 Maret 2011

Myanmar have ordered two An-148 for goverment as VIP aircfraft, one of aircraft crashed during a test flight in Russia (photo : Robin Moret)

MOSCOW, (RIA Novosti) - The passenger plane that crashed during a test flight on Saturday in southern Russia was insured and a new one will be built soon if insurance is paid swiftly, an aircraft industry source said on Wednesday.

The Antonov An-148 plane was being tested prior to delivery to Myanmar, which ordered two last year for government use.

The industry source said the plane was insured by Ingosstrakh, which confirmed the information, but declined to disclose the details of the insurance contract.

All six people on board, including two Myanmar nationals, were killed when the An-148 plane crashed in the village of Garbuzovo in the Belgorod region.

The plane crashed while carrying out descent tests. Investigators say the high speed caused critical pressure in the plane's engines, causing them to ignite and the plane to explode in midair.

Plane parts were found 1.5 kilometers away from the site where the bodies of the crew were discovered.

The Russian Investigative Committee has admitted that the crash was caused by a technical failure.

Investigators are also looking at pilot error and a defective fuel gauge as possible reasons.

(RIA Novosti)