Preliminary analysis of the cockpit voice recorder from the** Sukhoi SuperJet 100 that crashed into the side of a volcano** in Indonesia two weeks ago showed no sign of aircraft system malfunctions, according to a statement released by the aircraft manufacturer.
United Aircraft Corporation, the parent company of Sukhoi, went on to say the CVR data showed that the aircraft’s terrain and collision avoidance system was operative and issued the appropriate warnings to the crew regarding the aircraft’s dangerously low altitude.
Investigators continue to search for the SuperJet’s flight data recorder, while also working to sync up air traffic control data with the CVR findings in an attempt to chart the aircraft’s exact course.
The SuperJet 100 was conducting a demonstration flight on May 9 as part of a six-nation tour of Asia when it crashed just south of the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta.
The crew – which included the chief civil test pilot at Sukhoi – had asked permission to descend from 10,000 feet to 6,000 feet in mountainous terrain shortly before the crash, although the reasoning behind the request remains unknown.
Authorities announced this week that they have identified the remains of all 45 people aboard the ill-fated flight, most of whom were reporters or prospective buyers of the SuperJet.
The fly-by-wire jet had obtained 170 total global orders before the deadly crash, which now threatens to derail the SuperJet's attempts to compete with Bombardier and Embraer in the 75- to 95-seat category. The jet is the first modern design to emerge from Russia's long-dormant aviation industry in two decades.
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