News date: 7 June 2019
On 28 May 2019 the Podilskyi District Court of Kyiv arrested and prohibited the operation of 5 civil transport aircraft An-124-100 owned by Volga-Dnepr Airlines (Russia) upon a motion filed by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv.
This was reported by the press service of the famous Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm, representing the interests of the State Enterprise Antonov.
Within a framework of criminal proceedings under Article 281 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of air flight safety rules, which exposed human lives to danger or caused other serious consequences) the court imposed arrest on An-124-100 aircraft owned by Volga-Dnepr Airlines (Russia) and Volga Dnepr Airlines (Ireland), namely, RA-82068 (serial number 0703), RA-82078 (serial number 0710), RA-82045 (serial number 0609), RA-82046 (serial number 0610) and RA-82077 (serial number 0709), and prohibited airlines and any other persons from their operation.
In addition, any third parties (airports, aviation authorities) are prohibited from carrying out any actions aimed at landing/take-off (arrival/departure) of these aircraft.
“According to SE Antonov, the investigations and the court, the admission of An-124 aircraft to further operation violates the provisions of the ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation and Airworthiness Manual,” – commented Roman Marchenko, the Senior Partner of Ilyashev & Partners International Law Firm. – The arrest of property is allowed to ensure the safe-keeping and integrity of physical evidence and compensation for damages caused by the criminal offence”.
It is to be recalled that following a complaint filed by the SE Antonov as a holder of Type Certificate the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine are investigating the fact of certification by Rosaviation of AMTES GmbH as the developer of An-124-100 aircraft modifications and of issuance of the Supplemental Type Certificate for the replacement of type design “Airworthiness as Related to Confirmation of Service Life and Lifetime”. The unlawful actions of Rosaviation and AMTES GmbH resulted in the extension of airworthiness for An-124-100 aircraft operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines – without due participation of the SE Antonov – which jeopardized the safe operation of these aircraft.
State Enterprise Antonov is the Ukrainian state-owned enterprise, whose main activities include the development, production and repair of An series aircraft. Forms a part of the State Concern Ukroboronprom.