Crashed plane had problems

The CRJ–100LR regional jet, operated by Belavia, that yesterday crashed in flames at the Armenian capital of Erevan could have sufferred an accident three weeks ago. On January 21, the plane en route from Berlin to Minsk reported cabin decompression, while carrying 27 passengers on board.

The pilots had to descend from 10,000m to 3,000m. The plane landed safely in Minsk, with the local aviation authorities saying the alarm was false.

Yesterday, 18 passengers and 3 crew members managed to survive after the airliner flipped over on take-off from the Armenian capital.

The Belarusian state airline, Belavia leased two Canada-made CRJ–100LR regional jets in 2007. They had flown in France, Germany, Canada and the United States since 1999.

Belarus had reportedly planned to buy more CRJ–100LR planes which can carry up to 50 passengers.

Photo: АР