KHANTY-MANSIYSK, February 9. /TASS/: Russia’s Utair airline has blamed a wind shift for the emergency landing of its plane at the airport of Usinsk, in northwestern Russia’s Komi Republic.
"During the landing of Boeing 737 a sharp unpredictable wind shift occurred at the airport of Usinsk," the press service said.
The airline stressed that the crew managed to keep the plane on the runway until a complete stop thanks to their high professional skills. "When the plane was already on the runway its landing gear’s breakdown occurred. An experienced crew was working: the captain had more than 6,900 flight hours on Boeing and the second pilot had 3,600 flight hours," the spokesperson said.
The crew successfully carried out the evacuation effort after the plane had stopped. "There are no injuries. One passenger, who sustained a knee injury, sought medical assistance."
The Boeing 737 was en route from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport when it was forced to make an emergency landing. According to the republic’s Emergencies Ministry, 94 people were onboard the aircraft. However, the airport said the plane was carrying 100 people. All of them have been evacuated.
The Komi Republic’s head said two people have sought medical assistance. The airport of Usinsk has been temporarily closed to deal with the aftermath of the incident.
