BLACK BOXES BEING TRANSCRIBED
Yerevan-Minsk flight plane underwent an accident at 4:19 local time. The airplane belonged to Belavia. While leaving airport Zvartnots, the crew informed the flight conductor that the airplane is leaning towards left. Rising up by 4 to 5 meters, the airplane turned to the left side. It kept on going along the whole flight line. This information was released by Civil Aviation General Department (CAGD) Head Artiom Movsisyan.
In his words, two of the passengers helped the crew to open the door. Fire started after the plane turned to the left. Fifty seconds after the accident, fire brigade arrived.
''Our losses are the minimum,'' Movsisyan mentioned also saying ''there was no explosion but some have heard noise.'' Airplane fuel poured on the ground.
The fire service has been under the subordination of the airport for one year and the company has made an investment totaling $3,500 million for the establishment of the service.
In Movsisyan's words, the weather was dry. There are no problems connected with the Armenian party. The airplane passed technical observation in February. The plane is of 1999 production with a capacity to carry 48 passengers. The pilots have worked with the plan for one year. The Byelorussian pilots have passed medical check ups before the flight and no irregularities were reported. The transcription of the black boxes has started. However, it is not clear how much information has been preserved.
The Armenian Aviation authorities plan to invite the International Aviation Committee for investigation. Movsisyan said the Armenian party is not well acquainted with that type of airplanes.
According to CAGD information, Byelorussian, Ukrainian and Russian citizens each, 5 Georgia and 10 Armenian passengers were on board. The embassies of the countries were notified. Zvartnots started its normal work at 11 o'clock.
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