Minister announces inspections of aircraft following Alakol hang-glider crash

Tengrinews.kz - Transport Minister Marat Karabayev has announced that the ministry will conduct inspections of all aircraft providing services to tourists in leisure areas following the recent hang-glider crash at Lake Alakol.

During a government briefing, Karabayev was reminded about the incident involving a hang-glider with two people onboard that crashed into Lake Alakol and was found to be uncertified.

"Absolutely, we will conduct. We have 263 An-2 aircraft, but only 94 of them are airworthy. The remaining ones are not airworthy. There are also cases of violation of rules when faulty aeroplanes and hang gliders are used," the minister said.

The minister explained that additional checks will be carried out on all relevant cases.

"Aircraft should receive airworthiness certificates annually or every three years. However, the type in question has not received such certificates. Therefore, the ministry has decided to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all aircraft, including hang gliders and An-2 aircraft," the minister explained.

Earlier, it was reported that a hang-glider carrying two people crashed into Lake Alakol in the Akshi village of the Jetisu region. The Ministry of Emergency Situations rescued the two individuals who fell into the water with the aircraft. Both were hospitalized in serious condition as a result of the incident.