Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Most of respondents think that the accident at Sheremetyevo airport was a tragic coincidence. The next popular version is a pilot error.

MOSCOW, May 21, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to the accident involving Sukhoi Superjet 100 which took place at Sheremetyevo airport.

An overwhelming majority of Russians (96%) have heard of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash at Sheremetyevo airport.

The main cause of the crash is an unfortunate conjuncture of events or a tragic coincidence (29%). Respondents also mention pilots’ error (17%), poor condition of the aircraft (15%) and bad weather (14%).

However, Russians highly assess the potential of Russian aircraft manufacturing industry: 78% of Russians consider that Russia is capable of manufacturing high-quality aircrafts. They are opposed by 14% of respondents.  

Besides that, 83% of respondents say that Russia should develop its own aircraft production, even if it requires too much finance. According to respondents, the main reason to support the Russian aircraft industry is a need to provide safety and to decrease unemployment. Respondents consider Russian airplanes to be safer and more reliable (33%); they say that the development of the Russian aircraft industry would also create more jobs (32%).  

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 14, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

In early May, an airplane crash involving Sukhoi Superjet 100 took place at Sheremetyevo airport. Did you personally hear, or do you hear for the first time about it? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

I am aware

47

I heard something but I do not know any details

49

I hear about it for the first time

4

In your opinion, what was the main cause of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash at Sheremetyevo?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Unfortunate conjuncture of events, tragic coincidence

29

Pilot mistake

17

Poor technical condition of the aircraft

15

Bad weather

14

Terrorist attack

2

Other

4

Don' t know

15

Those who did not hear about the crash

4

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement “Russia can produce high-quality aircrafts”?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Rather agree

78

Rather disagree

14

Don’t know

8

Russian airline companies use aircrafts produced by different countries including Russia. Which of the statements do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Russia should develop its own aircraft production, even if it requires too much money  

83

Russia should buy imported aircrafts and not spend money on developing its own aircraft industry  

12

Don’t know

5

In your opinion, what for should Russia develop domestic aircraft manufacturing industry?

(open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Domestically-produced aircrafts are better, safer, more reliable

33

It will create more jobs

32

Independence

17

Economic development

12

Industry’s development

9

Prestige

6

Domestically-produced aircrafts are cheaper

4

Development of science, technologies

4

Export access

3

Other

13

Those who do not consider that domestically-produced aircrafts are important did not answer to the question 

17

Don’t know

7

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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