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