In connection with the publication dated February, 13 2018 in “Kommersant” titled “An-148 problems found on Superjet” and the following republications linked to the “Flight safety information” document issued by FAVT (Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia) containing data on aircraft accidents during heavy snowfall period in Moscow on 4-5 February, 2018, hereby we inform:

1.    No problems “alike” to those the An-148 crashed on February, 11 had with the sensors were detected on SSJ100. We recommend to avoid unprofessional opinions on the technical details. Especially before the conclusions of the Investigation Commission are published.

2.    Due to consistent performance of all the SSJ100 systems aimed at maximum passenger safety in case of assumption of the possibility of partial icing of the speed sensors (“the speed indication mismatch” in the FAVT document), the corresponding indicator was activated at the early stage of taxiing or run operation. The system did not allow the aircraft to fly assuring the utmost priority – the safety of the passengers. So, the alert systems of the aircraft DID PERFORM duely.

3.    The heating of the air data system sensors on SSJ100 is activated automatically when one of the engines starts on ground.

4.    Full loss of speed indication for a long time on SSJ100 is impossible due to the aircraft construction. The certification tests performed in aerodynamic tubes with critical icing immitation proved that SSJ100 systems deals and copes with icing successfully.

5.    During the SSJ100 certification tests the speed sensors were tested under the conditions of the volcano ash cloud occurance. The aircraft passed all these tests and that was confirmed by IAC AR (Russian Aviation Register) and EASA experts.

6.    We recommend to pay closest attention to the FAVT document that contains recommendations for improving the performance efficiency, first of all, in part of airport infrastructure readiness and the aircraft service system before the flight, especially under severe weather conditions. These recommendations are addressed to the corresponding entities.