Defence Minister: software error is suspected to have caused Gripen crash

Based on the details revealed so far, it is likely that a software error caused the Gripen fighter crash on Wednesday last week, Csaba Hende, the Hungarian defence minister, told daily newspaper Napi Gazdaság, hvg.hu reported.

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Video of the forced landing of Gripen

Earlier on 10 June, a Hungarian Air Force Saab Gripen crashed at Kecskemet Air Base after the aircraft’s nose gear failed to retract properly following take off. The experienced pilot, Sándor Kádár, claimed that he was unable to withdraw the front landing gear despite repeated attempts, therefore he decided to eject as the aircraft became uncontrollable while landing.

Referring to the accident, Csaba Hende explained that “based on the details which have emerged so far, it can be concluded that a software error caused the incident,” and that “Sweden’s air force had experienced a similar problem involving a Gripen.” The rest of the Gripens belonging to Hungary’s air force continue to be in a state of full readiness, he added.

During the ninety minutes that the fighter was aloft, the Kecskemét Air Base contacted both the Hungarian and the Swedish technical specialists, and informed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about the facts.

Talking about next year’s military budget in a separate interview with Magyar Hírlap, the defence minister said that Hungary’s defence budget would grow by 48 billion forints (EUR 154 million), and though the annual salary increment was going to be subtracted from this budget, a considerable fund would be provided for the development of military infrastructure as well, he added.

based on the article of hvg.hu
translated by Gábor Hajnal

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters