Russian envoy blames 'cowboy' IAF pilots for Sukhoi crash, not technology

New Delhi: Russia today said there was no glitches on the part of Russian technology in India's front line combat aircraft Sukhoi-30 fleet which was cleared for flying last month after being grounded for nearly a month following a crash.Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, quoting the report of a probe committee, said there was some problem in ejection of pilots' seats and suggested that it could be a human error.[caption id="attachment_631830" align="alignleft" width="380"] An IAF Sukhoi-30 aircraft. AFP[/caption]"There is a report coming from the special commission which was formed that talked about ejection of the seats of the two pilots. This is the conclusion of the commission. There was no glitch on the part of Russian technology," he told reporters.The entire fleet of Russian-made aircraft was grounded by Indian Air Force in October following a crash near Pune. It was cleared for flying last month. It was the longest period for which the fleet was grounded since 2009 when its operation was suspended for nearly three weeks following an accident. Asked about reports of some damage to India's largest warship and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, he said Russia has not been approached for it."We have not been approached. India is known to have very good pilots. You do have excellent pilots and Indian pilots are famous across the world but some of your pilots are like young people."They behave like cowboys. They are rash drivers. They want to get out of the machine... It was not a major thing. That's why we have not been approached," he said. The 44,500-tonne Vikramaditya has been acquired from Russia for over Rs 15,000 crore.Asked about a problem when the warship was coming to India from Russia, he said it had occurred off the shore of Portugalwhen an Indian tanker could not refuel it due to technical issues.On whether there was any proposal to set up a plant for production of AK-47 assault rifles in Gujarat, he replied in the negative. PTI