Safety spot checks continue, but VD aircraft satisfies inspectors (170 words)

Published: 10/3/2001

The GSGA is continuing its current campaign against overloading among cargo operators, after the crash of an Il-76 at Chakalovsky air base in July. Alexander Stepanenko of Volga Dnepr (VD), reported that on 24th September 2001, the GSGA checked on VD's IL-76TD at Abakan, inspecting the aircraft and crew, but did not discover any problems. Karl Ruppel, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Deputy Head of GSGA, has said that the spot checks, conducted without warning, will continue until November 2001. To date, 20 airlines have had their operating certificates suspended by the GSGA. According to Stepanenko, the GSGA also visited VD's head offices, but so far none of the airline's An-124-100s had been inspected by the agency. He stressed that VD considered the inspections to be part of a survey of the industry to establish the safety and operational situation, and that it was the company's policy to listen to and act upon the inspection results.

Article ID: 2796