HELLENIC CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO

UNCLAS ATHENS 002925 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR GR OLYAIR SUBJECT: HELLENIC CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO OLYMPIC AIRLINES 412 INCIDENT AT JFK REF: STATE 161732 ¶1. (U) Post has received the following response to the OA 412 incident at JFK involving pilot Konstantinos Vardakis, related in FAR violation letter 2005 EA 290023. Text as follows: Dear Ms. Susan Bennet, Thank you for your letter advising of the unfortunate event of July 9, 2005 at JFK International Airport, regarding Olympic Airlines A-340, Flight 412. We were aware of the event shortly after occurrence by the advice of the company, through the incident notification process of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 and our Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board. Please be assure (sic) that the Authorities of the Hellenic Government in concert with the management of Olympic Airlines have taken appropriate action in accordance with the laws of our country to deter any similar occurrence. Such an event is of the outmost (sic) importance to our aviation community and provides us with an opportunity to reinforce the issues of Safety and compliance. The matter has been brought to closure. Signature illegible. ¶2. The letter was transmitted from the office of the Deputy Governor of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. Original is being pouched to Department. RIES