Armenia’s aviation authorities clarify reports of the forced return of the plane with Kazakhstan national team
The plane with members of the Kazakhstan football national team on board was forced to return to Yerevan Zvartnots airport on March 27 with 'technical fault', the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia reported in a statement.
According to the release, the initial flight was scheduled at 00:30 on March 27, yet the flight operated by Russian Severstal air company departed the airport at 1:13.
“While on its way it was revealed the plane had a landing gear problem, and a decision was made to return to Zvartnots Airport as a precautionary measure to avoid further complications. The plane landed at Yerevan airport at 2:46,” the release said, adding the new time of the departure is scheduled at 16:00, March 28.
To remind, Kazakhstan national football team arrived in Yerevan for the match in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification round played on Sunday with the Armenian team claiming a 2-0 win.