Grozny airport was introducing Carpet plan during hours that led to AZAL plane crash, Russian aviation chief says

On the day of the tragic plane crash at Grozny Airport, the situation in the surrounding area was extremely complex, according to Dmitry Yadrov, head of the Federal Air Transport Agency.

Reported from TASS that Yadrov said the Russian Federation had initiated the implementation of the "Carpet" plan, a protocol designed to clear the airspace in times of emergency.

He said Ukrainian combat drones were launching attacks on civilian infrastructure in the cities of Grozny and Vladikavkaz during the fateful hours leading up to the crash. In response, the "Carpet" mode was introduced in the vicinity of Grozny Airport, mandating the immediate evacuation of all aircraft from the designated airspace.

Compounding the already perilous situation, a dense fog had enveloped Grozny Airport, reducing visibility to zero at an altitude of 500 meters. The aircraft's commander made two unsuccessful attempts to land the plane under these treacherous conditions, as stated by Yadrov.

The "Carpet" plan, a protocol for closing the skies to all flying vehicles, is triggered in various circumstances that pose a threat to flight safety. These may include sudden adverse weather changes or unauthorized intrusions into the airspace by foreign aircraft. Upon activation, air traffic controllers notify civilian aircraft via designated radio frequencies, while air defense personnel issue the order on military channels.

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