Criminal Case Opened in NSS: Civil Aviation Authority on Missing Aircraft

The Civil Aviation Committee has issued a statement regarding the Boeing 737-300 aircraft of "Fly Armenia Airways" LLC, which has been missing for about a week.

In the statement, it is noted: "Dear citizens, in addition to the clarification provided by the Civil Aviation Committee on February 23, 2021, regarding the Boeing 737-300 aircraft (registration number EK-FAA) of 'Fly Armenia Airways' LLC (hereinafter referred to as the Airline), we inform you that the Airline acquired the Boeing 737-300 aircraft with serial number 28873 under a lease agreement from a foreign organization. According to the lease agreement, the Airline is the operator of the aircraft; therefore, the responsibility for the operation of the aircraft, flight safety, technical maintenance, aviation security, crew, and other related issues lies with the Airline.

The Airline submitted an application for the registration of the aircraft, resulting in the aircraft being registered in the state register of civil aircraft of Armenia, maintained by the Committee, in accordance with the established procedures of RA legislation, and it was assigned national and registration marks. It should be noted that the aircraft has not been issued a certificate of airworthiness.

During this period, the aircraft was stationed at a maintenance facility located at the airport in Tallinn, Estonia, intended for the technical maintenance works necessary to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness.

Considering that not all works were carried out at the aforementioned maintenance facility, it became necessary to complete the unfinished work at a maintenance facility located in Hostomel (Ukraine). Based on the application submitted by the Airline to obtain 'FLIGHT PERMIT,' on February 11, 2021, and in accordance with international aviation standards, the Committee granted permission for a one-time flight from Tallinn to Kyiv, valid from February 12 to 22, 2021.

Simultaneously, the Airline requested the Committee to recognize the pilot licenses of the crew consisting of citizens of Tajikistan and to allow them to carry out a 'one flight' to Hostomel Airport. In accordance with the established procedures, the Committee made the necessary inquiries within its powers, and upon receiving confirmations, validated the crew licenses for conducting the flight along the Tallinn-Kyiv route from February 12 to February 20, 2021.

However, contrary to the previously granted permission and not adhering to the deadline provided by the Committee, the aircraft's crew carried out the flight to Varna (Bulgaria), subsequently changing course to Sharjah (UAE), but landing at Mehrabad Airport in Iran.

It is also noteworthy that the Airline informed the Committee that the change in the intended flight route occurred without their consent and knowledge. It is essential to emphasize that the airline operating the aircraft is responsible for organizing the flight and obtaining permits, as well as air traffic services during the flight.

The Committee has taken appropriate measures to clarify the circumstances and reasons surrounding the situation, especially establishing contact with the aviation authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Eurocontrol.

According to confirmations from the flight crew and the aviation authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the reason for the aircraft's landing at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport was technical in nature, specifically arising from fuel-related issues.

In accordance with the provisions of Appendix 13 of the Convention on Civil Aviation (investigation of aviation accidents and incidents) and the requirements of the RA Law on Aviation, an investigation is being conducted by the Committee to study the aforementioned circumstances. Following the incident, a criminal case has been initiated in the investigative department of the National Security Service of Armenia, and a preliminary investigation is ongoing. The relevant documents were provided to law enforcement authorities as a result of the Committee's investigation.

Currently, Committee representatives are in the Islamic Republic of Iran to discuss issues related to the relocation of the aircraft to the Republic of Armenia and to organize further actions. The Airline's pilot and technical personnel are also in the Islamic Republic of Iran to assess the aircraft's technical condition and the possibility for further flights.

As a result of the close cooperation and discussions between Armenian and Iranian aviation specialists, a preliminary agreement has been reached for the relocation of the aircraft from Tehran to Yerevan. At the same time, it is reported that the relevant technical specialists of the Airline in Tehran have identified technical deficiencies of the aircraft, and following a risk assessment, the specialists are required to present their position regarding granting permission for the aircraft's flight operations.

Diplomatic channels are actively being used to resolve the issue, particularly with the assistance of staff from the Armenian Embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran in organizing and implementing the necessary meetings and discussions. Based on the interests of the preliminary investigation, we request to rely solely on official communications and refrain from disseminating misinformation."