MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) - The September crash of the Su-27 fighter in Lithuania that caused a minor, but high-profile diplomatic row was caused by human error, a Russian Air Force official said Friday.
The investigation found serious flaws in the organization, preparation and support of the routine transfer of a group of planes from one airfield to another.
"The accident occurred after the pilot had become disoriented during the flight, which led to total fuel consumption and automatic engine switch-off," the official said.
The commander of the Russian Air Force ordered that pilot Major Valery Troyanov's qualifications be reviewed, the official said. Six generals and 10 other senior officers were disciplined following the accident.
Russian Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov said Troyanov "acted sloppily" in an emergency situation.
"Troyanov prepared poorly for the flight, lost orientation and showed negligence in an emergency," the military official said.
He said the major's pilot ranking was bumped down.
"He will continue flying, but if he had a first-class pilot grade before, I lowered his grade to second class," Mikhailov said. "That is his punishment."
The fighter from the 6th Air Army was flying from St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave within the European Union, when it crashed on Lithuanian territory. Troyanov managed to eject safely and no one was injured in the incident.
In November, Russia compensated Lithuania about 19,500 euros for damages caused by the crash.
