Moscow: Russia's Interior Ministry on Monday grounded all Ilyushin Il-76 medium lift transport aircrafts, following a crash of a plane in which 11 crew members were killed, raising questions over the fate of the similar aircraft being operated by Indian Air Force.
"Pending the probe outcome, all flights Il-76 have been suspended on the orders of Commander-in-Chief of Interior Ministry Troops, Gen Nikolai Rogozhkin," Interior Troops spokesman Vasily Panchenkov was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
On Sunday an Il-76 cargo plane of Interior Ministry Troops crashed shortly after take-off from Mirny airport in Russia's diamond mining region of Yakutia.
"Urgent technical inspection of all the aircraft in service with the Interior Ministry is underway, after which they will resume duty," Panchenkov said.
Indian Air Force has 17 of these aircrafts inducted in mid 80's and these planes are up for mid-life upgradation.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, November 02, 2009, 16:12