What I will write below, is nothing personal, just a general remark.
Many people are trying to analyse this crash based on their own SOPs, their airline, training, DOCXXXX, etc... It's going nowhere. Try to analyse the facts. Don't try to stick facts to your beliefs. There was a crash, because someone wasn't flying by the book or something wasn't right in his book.
I just suggest you go to the Fig. 47 of MAK's report and take a close look at the RA record of 7th/10th of April flights. Do you think there is something to add here? Maybe an explanation how the aircraft did lost 200 m in approx 20 s, ending some 150 m below their circle altitude. Wake up call by Smolensk ATC. The PIC from that flight can answer questions.
I would add to the list the 2005 incident in Switzerland where the "101" Tupolev was involved - again problems with altitude control.
Arrakis
Last edited by ARRAKIS; 1st Feb 2011 at 17:58.
Reason: Typing error