Iran now admits it accidentally shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight 752.
Read the full story from The Guardian.
UIA previously made this short statement:
UIA expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash and will do everything possible to support the relatives of the victims.
From CBS News:
“U.S. intelligence picked up signals of a radar being turned on, sources told CBS News. U.S. satellites also detected two surface-to-air missile launches, which happened shortly before the plane exploded.”
From CNN:
“The US increasingly believes that Iran mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner on Tuesday, according to multiple US officials. The working theory is based on continuing analysis of data from satellites, radar and electronic data collected routinely by US military and intelligence.
The flight was downed following Iranian strikes on US forces in Iraq.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization head, Ali Abedzadeh, said it would not hand the flight data recorders to Boeing or the United States after they were found on Wednesday.”
From New York Times: New video of possible missile striking the doomed airliner.
From Reuters:
“The initial assessment of Western intelligence agencies is that a Ukrainian airliner which crashed in Iran on Wednesday was not brought down by a missile, said a Canadian security source.
The source, who declined to be identified, said the agencies believed the Boeing (BA.N) 737 plane had suffered a technical malfunction. The Ukraine International Airline jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.”
Also from Reuters:
“A Ukrainian airliner was on fire immediately before it crashed southwest of Tehran, killing all 176 on board, according to an initial report by Iranian investigators.”
A counter report that investigators are considering the possibility that a missile brought down the aircraft.
Ukraine International Airlines issued this second statement:
The day of January 8, 2020, is marked with black for the time being.
Despite the airline’s employees have repeatedly undergone special training, we could never grow emotionally and psychologically strong enough to face up to such a tragedy.
Today, all our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew of PS752 Tehran – Kyiv flight.
We express profound sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. We share your pain, we mourn together with you, and we remember everyone whose life was taken away in the sky of Iran.
We’ll make every effort to find out the cause of the tragedy and the families of the passengers and crew get all the help and support they need.
The airline has also suspended flights to and from Tehran:
Due to the situation in the region, UIA announces the suspension of its scheduled flights between Kyiv and Tehran, effective 08 January, 2020, until further notice.
The decision made by the management of the UIA and confirmed as a prohibition issued by State Aviation Administration of Ukraine for flights in Iran’s airspace for all Ukrainian registration aircraft.
Passengers will be rerouted, where possible, or offered a refund for unused flights. Passengers are advised to contact the place of ticket purchase.
Information on the crew:
With due allowance for the complexity and duration of the flight, the UR-PSR aircraft’s crew was augmented.
Flight crew comprised three pilots:
“Tehran airport is anything but a simple one. Therefore, for several years UIA has been using this airport to conduct training on Boeing 737 aircraft aimed at evaluating pilots’ proficiency and ability to act in emergency cases, – noted Ihor Sosnovsky, UIA Vice President Operations. – According to our records, the aircraft ascended as high as 2400 meters. Given the crew’s experience, error probability is minimal. We do not even consider such a chance.”
Cabin crew comprised six flight attendants:
UIA condoles deeply to families and friends of the passengers and the crew.
The airline introduced Emergency Response Plan.
Passenger List:
Last updated on January 8, 2020 at 14:00
Surname, Name, Year of Birth
Abaspourqadi Mohamm 1986
Abbasnezhad Mojtaba 1993
Abtahiforoushani Seyedmehran 1982
Aghabali Iman 1991
Agha Miri Maryam 1973
Ahmadi Motahereh 2011
Ahmadi Muh Sen 2014
Ahmadi Rahmtin 2010
Ahmadi Sekinhe 1989
Ahmady Mitra 1973
Amirliravi Mahsa 1989
Arasteh Fareed 1987
Arbabbahrami Arshia 2000
Arsalani Evin 1990
Asadilari Mohammadhossein 1996
Asadilari Zeynab 1998
Ashrafi Habibabadi Amir 1991
Attar Mahmood 1950
Azadian Roja 1977
Azhdari Ghanimat 1983
Badiei Ardestani Mehraban 2001
Bashiri Samira 1990
Beiruti Mohammad Amin 1990
Borghei Negar 1989
Choupannejad Shekoufeh 1963
Dadashnejad Delaram 1993
Daneshmand Mojgan 1976
Dhirani Asgar 1945
Djavadi Asll Hamidreza 1967
Djavadi Asll Kian 2002
Ebnoddin Hamidi Ardalan 1971
Ebnoddin Hamidi Kamyar 2004
Ebrahim Niloufar 1985
Ebrahimi Khoei Behnaz 1974
Eghbali Bazoft Shahrokh 1960
Eghbali Bazoft Shahzad 2011
Eghbalian Parisa 1977
Elyasi Mohammad Mahdi 1991
Emami Sayedmahdi 1959
Emami Sophie 2014
Eshaghian Dorcheh Mehdi 1995
Esmaeilion Reera 2010
Esnaashary Esfahani Mansour 1990
Faghihi Sharieh 1961
Falsafi Faezeh 1973
Falsafi Faraz 1988
Farzaneh Aida 1986
Feghahati Shakiba 1980
Foroutan Marzieh 1982
Ghaderpanah Iman 1985
Ghaderpanah Parinaz 1986
Ghafouri Azar Siavash 1984
Ghandchi Daniel 2011
Ghandchi Dorsa 2003
Ghasemi Ariani Milad 1987
Ghasemi Dastjerdi Fatemeh 1994
Ghasemi Amirhossein 1987
Ghasemi Kiana 2000
Ghavi Mandieh 1999
Ghavi Masoumeh 1989
Gholami Farideh 1981
Ghorbani Bahabadi A 1998
Golbabapour Suzan 1970
Gorji Pouneh 1994
Haghjoo Saharnaz 1982
Hajesfandiari Bahareh 1978
Hajiaghavand Sadaf 1992
Hajighassemi Mandieh 1981
Hamzeei Sara 1986
Hasani/sadi Zahra 1994
Hashemi Shanrzad 1974
Hassannezhad Parsa 2003
Hatefi Mostaghim Sahan 1987
Hayatdavoudi Hadis 1992
Jadidi Elsa 2011
Jadidi Pedran 1991
Jamshidi Shadi 1988
Jebelli Mohammaddam 1990
Kadkhoda Zaden Mohammaddam 1979
Kadkhodazaden Kasha 1990
Karamimoghadam Bahareh 1986
Katebi Rahimen 1999
Kaveh Azaden 1979
Kazerani Fatemeh 1987
Khadem Forough 1981
Kobiuk Olga 1958
Lindberg Emil 2012
Lindberg Erik 2010
Lindberg Raheleh 1982
Lindberg Mikael 1979
Madani Firouzeh 1965
Maghsoudlouestarabadi Siavash 1976
Maghsoudlouesterabadi Paria 2004
Mahmoodi Fatemeh 1989
Malakhova Olena 1981
Malek Maryam 1979
Maleki Dizaje Fereshteh 1972
Mamani Sara 1983
Mianji Mohammadjavad 1992
Moeini Mohammad 1984
Moghaddam Rosstin 2010
Mohammadi Mehdi 1999
Molani Hiva 1981
Molani Kurdia 2018
Moradi Amir 1998
Morattab Arvin 1984
Moshrefrazavimoghaddam Soheila 1964
Mousavi Daria 2005
Mousavi Dorina 2010
Mousavibafrooei Pedram 1972
Nabiyi Elnaz 1989
Naderi Farzahen 1981
Naghibi Zahra 1975
Naghib Lahouti Mehr 1987
Nahavandi Milad 1985
Niazi Arnica 2011
Niazi Arsan 2008
Niknam Farhad 1975
Norouzi Alireza 2008
Nourian Ghazal 1993
Oladi Alma 1992
Omidbakhsh Roja 1996
Ovaysi Amir Hossein 1978
Ovaysi Asal 2013
Pasavand Fatemeh 2002
Pey Alireza 1972
Pourghaderi Ayeshe 1983
Pourjam Mansour 1966
Pourshabanoshibi Naser 1966
Pourzarabi Arash 1993
Raana Shahab 1983
Rahimi Jiwan 2016
Rahimi Razgar 1981
Rahmanifar Nasim 1994
Razzaghi Khamsi Ni 1974
Rezai Mahdi 2000
Rezae Hossain 1999
Saadat Saba 1998
Saadat Sara 1996
Saadat Zeinolabedin 1990
Saati Kasra 1972
Sadeghi Alvand 1990
Sadeghi Anisa 2009
Sadeghi Mirmohammad 1976
Sadeghi Sahand 1980
Sadighi Neda 1969
Sadr Niloufar 1958
Sadr Seyednoojan 2008
Saeedinia Amirhosse 1994
Safarpoorkoloor Pe 1999
Saket Mohammadhosse 1986
Salahi Moh 1988
Saleheh Mohammad 1987
Saraeian Sajedeh 1993
Setareh Kokab Hamid 1988
Shadkhoo Sheyda 1978
Shaterpour Khiaban 1988
Soltani Paniz 1991
Tahmasebi Khademasa 1984
Tajik Mahdi 1999
Tajik Shahram 1998
Tarbhai Afifa 1964
Tarbha Alina 1988
Toghian Darya 1997
Zarei Arad 2002
Zibaie Maya 2004
Zokaei Sam 1977
Video:
Top Copyright Photo: Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-8KV WL UR-PSR (msn 38124) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 948741.
Ukraine International aircraft slide show:
Ukraine International Airlines-UIA flight PS 752 from Tehran (Khomeini) to Kiev with Boeing 737-800 (UR-PSR, above) crashed on takeoff today. All on board are feared to be dead.
The airline issued this statement (translated):
Today, on January 8, 2020, the aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines, while operating PS752 flight Tehran – Kiev, disappeared from the radar, a few minutes after departure from Tehran International Airport.
The aircraft departed Tehran Airport at 06:10 local Iran time.
According to preliminary data, there were 167 passengers and 9 crew members on board. Airlines are currently finding out the exact number of passengers on board.
Passenger lists will be posted on the airline’s website after final confirmation of their stay on board the aircraft.
The airline expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash and will do everything possible to support the relatives and loved ones of the victims. As of today, UIA has decided to suspend its own flights to Tehran indefinitely.
As of 09:30, UIA has been working closely with the aviation authorities to find out the causes of the aviation incident. In parallel, the airline contacts the relatives of the passengers, providing all possible assistance in the current situation.
The flight was performed on a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, registration number UR-PSR. The aircraft of 2016 production was received directly by the airline from the plant of the concern. The last scheduled maintenance of the aircraft was January 06, 2020.
A thorough investigation will be conducted with the involvement of the aviation authorities of Ukraine, Iran, representatives of the Boeing manufacturer, the airline, as well as the National Bureau of Investigation of Civil Aviation and Incidents with Civilian Aircraft in Ukraine (NBRCA). The airline will inform you of the investigation and the causes of the tragic event as soon as they are identified.
Press Service of Ukraine International Airlines
Top Copyright Photo: Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-8KV WL UR-PSR (msn 38124) LGW (Keith Burton). Image: 948733.
Ukraine International aircraft photo gallery:
Video: Mechanical failure or was the 737-800 misidentified and shot down by Iran?
On Thursday, November 8, 2018, Ukraine International Airlines’ Boeing 737-300 aircraft with registration number of UR-GBD (below), operated its final flight under Ukraine International Airlines’ call sign.
Top Copyright Photo: Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-36N UR-GAN (msn 28569) (Official Carrier National Football Teams) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 901106.
Above Photo: Teemu Pesonen.
Subsequently UIA’s fleet consists of 42 aircraft with the average age of 10.5 years.
UIA continues its fleet renewal program. Three Classic Generation aircraft, including two Boeing 737-300 and one Boeing 737-500 were decommissioned. And now the company’s medium haul fleet includes only New Generation Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 with an average age of 8.7 years. These planes have bigger capacity and consume less fuel per seat kilometer.
In 1992 UIA became the first Boeing 737 family operator in Ukraine and offered its passengers a new level of comfort and service. Within 26 years of UIA’s activity the company used 74 aircraft, 42 of which currently keep flying under UIA’s call sign.
Moreover UIA was the first Ukrainian airline to install winglets on its planes increasing their fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions into atmosphere.
This year the airline added a new type of widebody long haul aircraft for the Ukrainian market – Boeing 777-200ER. Now three such aircraft operate UIA’s flights to New York, Beijing and Bangkok. The company also operates widebody Classic Generation Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on its long haul routes which will be phased out in 2019-2020.
“The Classic Generation aircraft, UIA had started its activity in 1992, played its role. We thank them, as they were reliable planes, which let us become the airline UIA is now. – UIA Communications Director Evgeniya Satska said, – The next step to UIA’s medium haul fleet renewal will be the arrival of three Boeing 737 MAX aircraft delivery. There start to be delivered in Spring 2019”.
Note: The last Boeing 737-500 (UR-GAT) (below) was retired previously on October 12, 2018 (flight AUI172 Stockholm – Kiev).
Below Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-528 UR-GAT (msn 25237) LHR (SPA). Image: 924723.
Ukraine International aircraft slide show:
Ukraine International Airlines released this statement on its fleet plans:
On Saturday, March 17, 2018, Ukraine International Airlines enhanced its fleet with another brand new Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft that arrived at Kiev Boryspil International Airport from the Boeing facilities in Seattle.
The aircraft passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received the UR-UIC number. The aircraft accommodates 186 passengers in two-class seating configuration. UIA expects to operate the new Boeing 737-800 NG across its medium-haul route network. The UR-UIC started operating commercial flights on March 20 on the Kiev – Lviv route. UIA expects to receive the next brand new Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, UR-UIВ, in late March.
In 2018, the UIA fleet will be enhanced with 4 Boeing 737 NGs, three of them will arrive right off the assembly line.
In 2018, UIA expects to receive 10 aircraft: 4 wide-body long-haul Boeing 777s, one of them is already in operation, 4 medium-haul Boeing 737-800 NGs, and 2 Embraer 195s.
In 2018, UIA will cease operating its Boeing 737 Classic aircraft (2 737-300s and one 737-500).
UIA operates 41 aircraft including 28 medium haul Boeing 737 NG aircraft with the average age of 9.4 years. Currently, UIA fleet’s total average age amounts to 11.5 years.
Copyright Photo: The pictured UR-GAT is the last UIA Boeing 737-500 still in service. Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-528 UR-GAT (msn 25237) LHR (SPA). Image: 924723.
Ukraine International aircraft slide show:
Ukraine International Airlines (Kiev) on February 16, 2018 received the first out of four wide-body long-haul Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
The aircraft passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received the UR-GOA registration number. Boeing 777-200ER aircraft accommodates 361 passengers in three-class seating configuration, i.e. Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class. UIA expects to operate the UR-GOA aircraft on its long-haul routes to New York, Beijing, and Bangkok.
Leased from the world’s leading lessor AerCap, the aircraft is equipped with Panasonic Corporation individual IFE system. Every seat is equipped with personal screen with a vast content menu, including feature movies, music, and computer games. To promote Ukraine’s cinematograph, passengers of Boeing 777 will be offered a variety of Ukrainian movies. The content is available in four languages, i.e. Ukrainian, English, Chinese, and Russian.
Moreover, passengers will be able to track the aircraft in real-time mode by using the interactive touch-sensitive 3D-map with 3D globe image, 100 city guides, including 20 cities of Ukraine, Kids map – Animals App, and other information.
USB-units and electrical power sockets are installed in all cabins with Wi-Fi connectivity available during the flight.
The aircraft is equipped with Bruce Aerospace Sky Interior modern lighting system which is customized so that the lighting regime changes according to natural environment. The latter helps create a special atmosphere and add extra comfort to the passengers’ long-haul trips.
“The arrival of Boeing 777 redefines the UIA service, – noted Evgeniya Satska, UIA Communications Director. – We expect that our brand new aviation product will be highly appealing to both travelers from Ukraine and transit passengers. The latter empowers us to keep boosting transit traffic at Kiev Boryspil International Airport and developing our country’s transit potential.”
Arrival of the UR-GOA aircraft is the initial stage of the UIA long-haul fleet development. Three more fully reconfigured Boeing 777 aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Q1 – Q3 2018. Prior to reconfiguration, the aircraft will undergo heavy maintenance checks including tests and checks of all systems, key components, and units. The maintenance and reconfiguration will be performed by Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance, Amsterdam.
UIA operates 43 aircraft including 27 medium haul Boeing 737 NG aircraft. Currently, UIA fleet’s average age amounts to 11.9 years.
Copyright Photo: Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 777-28E ER 2-AERA (UR-GOA) (msn 28681) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 939909.
Ukraine International aircraft slide show:
Videos:
