INVESTIGATION OF FATAL KYRGYZ BOEING 737 CRASH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000874 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN DEPT PASS TO NTSB MONTREAL FOR ICAO OFFICER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: INVESTIGATION OF FATAL KYRGYZ BOEING 737 CRASH BEGINS BISHKEK 00000874 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: On August 24, an Iranian Aseman Airlines flight crashed outside of Bishkek killing 65 of the 90 people on board. The plane, a Boeing 737, was leased from a Kyrgyz company, Itek Air, and was operated by a Kyrgyz crew. The majority of the passengers (and victims) were Kyrgyz and Iranian citizens, and no Americans were on board. Responding to Kyrgyz government requests for assistance, Manas Air Base dispatched firefighting and medical personnel to the scene. The Kyrgyz government has established a special commission under the prime minister to oversee the investigation, and the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) will provide assistance. The Embassy has relayed the U.S. offer to send a National Transportation Safety Board-led team, and we are awaiting a Kyrgyz response before advising that the NTSB team begin its journey to Bishkek. End summary. Accident Details -------------- ¶2. (U) On August 24 and approximately 15 minutes after its 20:30 departure from Bishkek's Manas International Airport for Teheran, Aseman Airlines flight IRC 6895 carrying 83 passengers and seven crew members crashed killing 65 people on the plane. No one was killed on the ground. Kyrgyz and Iranian citizens constituted the majority of the passengers and victims, although there were Canadian, Chinese, Kazakh and Turkish citizens on board. ¶3. (U) The airplane, which was returning to the airport after reporting technical problems, crashed into a remote field several miles northwest of the airport. In response to Kyrgyz requests, Manas Air Base (which is co-located with the airport) sent firefighting and medical personnel and equipment to the scene of the crash. Base personnel provided necessary supplies, such as masks, gloves, and body bags to assist in the recovery of remains. ¶4. (U) Although operating as an Iranian flight, the aircraft, a Boeing 737, belonged to Kyrgyz carrier Itek Air. Kyrgyz Director of Civil Aviation Alik Askarov informed the media that the Boeing 737 had been manufactured in 1980, was last repaired in May 2007 in Kazakhstan, and had its last technical examination in early August 2008. Investigative Steps -------------- ¶5. (U) In response to the accident, Kyrgyz officials convened an investigative commission chaired by Prime Minister Igor Chudinov that will oversee a separate working group, led by Director of Civil Aviation Askarov, which is charged with investigating the accident. The Kyrgyz General Prosecutor's office has also initiated a criminal investigation into the accident. ¶6. (SBU) The Embassy officially relayed the offer of investigative assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team via diplomatic note to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry August 25. Deputy Foreign Minister Ermek Ibraimov subsequently told Charge that the offer would be reviewed by the investigative commission, but cautioned against dispatching the NTSB team until the Kyrgyz side responds. He indicated that investigative assistance would be coming from the Moscow-based MAK Interstate Aviation Committee, and also believed that a Boeing representative would be part of the MAK team. Embassy will relay the Kyrgyz reply to the assistance offer when available. BISHKEK 00000874 002.2 OF 002 Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) All air carriers registered in the Kyrgyz Republic are banned from travel to the European Union out of concern over the safe maintenance and operation of their aircraft. Kyrgyz officials discussed the ban with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration officials in early April, and were making preparations for an ICAO audit next year. This issue may influence Kyrgyz attitudes towards the investigation into this fatal accident. LITZENBERGER