Abykayev named possible reasons of AN-72 crash near Shymkent

Chairman of Kazakhstan National Security Commission Nurtai Abykayev has given several versions of the recent plane crash at the briefing in Shymkent, Tengrinews.kz reports. According to him, the crash may have been caused by bad weather conditions. Besides, human factor could be the cause of the accident and the third possible reasons lays in some technical failures. Decryption of the black box will give more information on the crash reasons. It was already found among the plane wreckage scattered within 50 meters from the crash site. Abykayev pointed out that the site shows that the plane fell apart only after smashing on the ground. According to him, Kazakhstan experts will decrypt the black box on their own and, and will involve foreign colleagues if necessary. He added that genomic tests might be necessary as well. The aircraft underwent a complete maintenance in Ukraine on November 2, 2012. After that the AN-72 flew 40 hours: 30 takeoffs and 30 landings. Abykayev also said that funeral of the 27 militarymen will be held wherever their families wish to. A meeting will be held in Astana today to decide on the amount of material aide to the families of the victims. The AN-72 military plane of the Border Control Service of Kazakhstan National Security Commission crashed at 06:55 p.m. on December 25, 20km from Shymkent airport. The plane had 7 crew members and 20 militarymen onboard, including the acting head of the Border Control Service of Kazakhstan National Security Commission Turganbek Stambekov.