IRANIAN AIR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY TECHNICAL FAILURE

Avionews
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July 17 2009

Tehran, Iran – Pilot’s responsibility excluded. Also two Canadians
among the victims

(WAPA) – It would have been a technical failure, not a pilot’s
mistake, the cause of Wednesday’s tragical air accident, in which 168
have been killed on board of Tupolev Tu-154, en route from Tehran,
Iran, to Yerevan, Armenia, that crashed near the city of Qazvin
(see AVIONEWS). The announcement was made by Ahmad Majidi, Iranian
deputy-transport minister.

"Because of the severity of the crash -Mr. Majidi added- the two
black box recorders found are badly damaged, even though they are
made of steel. The tapes were out on the ground. We might send the
black box to Russia, where they were manufactured, to chase the issue
with their help".

The major part of the 153 passengers on board were of Iranian
or Iranian-Armenian nationality, but there were also Georgian
and Armenian citizens. Canada’s foreign ministry has furthermore
confirmed the presence among the victims of two Canadian citizens,
without unveiling their identities. Many media report that they might
be a woman with her 3-year-old son. (Avionews)

(009) 090717122114-1107292 (World Aeronautical Press Agency –
2009-07-17 12:21 pm)