Russian officials cited engine failure as the most likely cause. Crash debris was scattered over 10,000 sq. m. area. Aeroflot, which owns a 51 per cent stake in the regional carrier that operates domestic services cutties to Aeroflot Nord only days after the fatal crash, saying that Nord no longer will operate flights under its code nor be allowed to use its name.
“A decision has been taken to completely sever cooperation with Aeroflot Nord,” SU CEO Valery Okulov said at a Moscow news conference. “We have paid too big a price for providing our logo to the company.” Aeroflot had described the carrier as a “subsidiary” prior to the crash. It is unclear whether it will retain its stake, but Okulov said SU will operate flights previously delegated to Nord with its own mainline aircraft going forward.
According to its website, Nord operates seven 737-500s in addition to the crashed aircraft. It also operates four Tu-154s, 13 Tu-134s and six An-24/26s.
