summary
- Pobeda Airlines’ aircraft developer license has been suspended by Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (FATA).
- The suspension was issued after state inspectors found violations in modifications to one of Pobeda’s Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft.
- FATA had issued these certificates in response to sanctions that prevent original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Airbus and Boeing from supporting Russian-owned aircraft.
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (FATA) has suspended Pobeda Airlines’ aircraft developer status. The document was signed by FATA Director General Dmitry Yadorov, who took office in September 2023.
maintenance documentation
Poveda Aircraft’s Aircraft Developer Certificate allows airlines to maintain aircraft for the certification and installation of minor modifications such as aircraft livery, emergency cabin equipment, airframe repairs, air conditioning systems, communication systems, anti-icing systems, landing gear, etc. This meant that technical documentation could be developed. -Related parts, pneumatic systems, etc. FATA issued certificates in late December 2022 and suspended them on November 10, 2023.
Russian daily Izvestia reported that Pobeda Airlines was the first Russian airline to have its aircraft developer license suspended. The airline told the daily that it had revoked the certificate itself, but FATA had issued an order revoking the certificate, which was signed by the FATA Director General as mentioned above. A spokesperson for the airline, which operates exclusively with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, said the decision was made in part. “On the implementation of the development strategy to maintain the airworthiness of Aeroflot Group aircraft” They continued:
“[…] This is in order to centralize the capabilities of developers based on Aeroflot’s Design Solutions Development Department. ”
As a result, Aeroflot Technics, which retained its aircraft developer status, will take over the work previously carried out by Pobeda himself. In particular, Pobeda is part of the Aeroflot Group, which also includes Aeroflot, Aeroflot Technics, Russian Airlines and other aviation service providers.
Pobeda Boeing 737 plane veers off the runway at Perm Airport, Russia
The plane reportedly underwent a technical inspection by authorities after the passengers and crew were safely disembarked.
However, Izvestia, citing sources, suggested that the certificate was suspended after state inspectors found violations after Pobeda modified one of its Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft. He said he did. The paper cited two cases, one when an airline repaired a plane after a bird strike, and the other when a low-cost airline replaced the bolts that attach a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) antenna.
Poveda did not document its procedures for maintenance technicians, resulting in one 737-800 being operated for more than a month without required maintenance. Additionally, the airline had employees who were not qualified to repair or modify certain aircraft.
Photo: Jetcut | Shutterstock
Responding to sanctions
The Russian daily also reported that FATA will distribute these certificates throughout 2022 in response to sanctions, resulting in original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Airbus and Boeing no longer supporting Russian-owned aircraft. He also pointed out that. As a result, airlines have had to devise ways to ensure their planes are flyable, including smuggling aircraft parts into the country.
Photo: Dmitry Serebryakov | Shutterstock
For example, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested Oleg Sergeevich Patlya and Vasily Sergeevich Besedin for attempting to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA). Patulya and Betheding lived in Florida, USA. The Department of Justice stated:
“In the District of Arizona, two Russian nationals were arrested for their involvement in a procurement scheme to supply export-controlled parts and components to several Russian commercial airlines that are prohibited from participating in certain types of commercial transactions, including: was arrested. Brake technology.”
Following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia and its aerospace sector. Sanctions are being imposed in stages, with the latest US sanctions targeting Russian military production and procurement.
S7 and Pobeda see extension of US export ban
Both Russian airlines will be stripped of their export privileges for a further six months.
