Some more info:
Also, I confirm that - in contrast to statements of what had been communicated by Russian ATC representative - the PIC was fluent in Russian.
Below the translation of the gazeta.pl transcript:
One question. It seems to me that when they hit the 20 m high antenna 1km prior to the runway a 'controlled' crash might no longer have been possible. Witnesses stated that the left wing was hanging lower and hit the trees first. Is it fair to speculate that the left wing might have hit the antenna first, hereby totally destabilizing the plane and making any attempt to abort or opt for a controlled crash impossible. This said, with the antenna 20 meters (66 ft) of height and the trees 10 meters (33ft) and 1km from the landing strip it is all a matter of seconds before the events evolve. In an aborted landing, while so low, it probably takes more time/energy to gain momentum and lift the plane, correct? (just trying to understand like many of the non-pilots on this forum).
Added comment: the antenna appears to be the NDB in fact.
Sergei Ivanov, Russia's first deputy prime minister, said the black boxes were "absolutely functional and recorded absolutely all the information, sound as well as parametric [information], till the moment of crash".
"It is reliably confirmed that warning of the unfavourable weather conditions at the North airport and recommendations to go to a reserve airport were not only transmitted but received by the crew of the plane," he added.
"It is reliably confirmed that warning of the unfavourable weather conditions at the North airport and recommendations to go to a reserve airport were not only transmitted but received by the crew of the plane," he added.
Below the translation of the gazeta.pl transcript:
The pilot of the Tu-154M governmental plan, which crashed near Smolensk, well knew the Russian language. He knew also the same airport. That is what his superiors and colleagues of the 36th wing stated about the captain, Arkady Ivanovich Protasiuku. This is a response to suggestions from Smolensk flight controller, which appeared in Russian media. He said that the captain Protasiuk did not deal with the Russian language.
Added comment: the antenna appears to be the NDB in fact.
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