Hakob Chagharyan on the Airplane Found in Iran

The former advisor to the Prime Minister of Armenia, a pilot in civil and military aviation, and an aviation sector manager, Hakob Chagharyan, wrote on his Facebook page:

“Aircraft-SMUGGLING, -DECEPTION, or -PROFESSIONAL INCOMPETENCE? Part 2. Let me remind you that this concerns the Boeing 737-300 aircraft registered in Armenia as EK-FAA. It was 'chartered' by the Armenian airline 'Fly Armenia' for a one-time flight permission for technical maintenance from the Estonian capital Tallinn to Hostomel Airport in Kyiv ('Antonov'), but for unknown reasons, it ended up in Varna, Bulgaria, and then in Tehran.

According to the statement by the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee (CAC), there were discussions regarding the '...issues related to fuel' for the aircraft. The fuel tank capacity of Boeing 737-300 (400, 500) base aircraft is about 21,000 liters, which equals approximately 16,000 kg based on the specific weight of the fuel. The fuel capacity for 737-300 and 737-400 versions can go up to about 24,000 liters (approximately 19,000 kg). Considering fuel consumption of about 2,600 kg per hour and an aircraft speed of around 800 km/h, and keeping in mind the reserve fuel requirements for a minimum one-hour flight (based on the distance to a reserve airport), the aircraft could consume about 13,500 kg of fuel during the flight. This would allow it to cover a distance of approximately 4,100 km.

Therefore, it could reach the approximately 1,100 km distance from Tallinn to Kyiv within 1.5 hours, using only 3,900 kg of fuel. With an excess of one hour’s reserve, it would require merely 6,500 kg of total fuel. However, on February 19, it was found much farther away, approximately 1,800 km from Tallinn and about 850 km from Kyiv, in Varna, having consumed around 6,500 kg of fuel in 2.5 hours. With at least 2,600 kg of reserve fuel remaining, the total fuel load for the aircraft should have been about 9,100 kg.

The next segment is Varna-Sharjah (M.A.E). I would like to remind you that the aircraft fundamentally could not land there (see previous post). Yet, even in this case, the Varna-Sharjah distance of about 3,100 km can be easily covered by this type of aircraft, even when loaded. An empty aircraft, particularly in that region with consistent tailwinds (which increase flight speed), could undoubtedly manage this distance.

The amount of fuel loaded could fully explain the flight's objectives and the intended route. The distance from Varna to Tehran is approximately 2,200 km, equating to around three hours of flight. In other words, if the amount of fuel loaded in Varna totals about 11,000 kg (2.6x3+2.6), then its objective was clearly to land in Tehran. Additionally, I do not exclude the possibility of the need for 14.0-15.0 tons of fuel required up to Sharjah, but my professional instinct tells me that independent of the records, the fuel did not exceed the amount required for the flight to Tehran. This can easily be verified by any specialist.

IN SUMMARY: The total amount of fuel loaded on the aircraft is one of the key keys to resolving the issue.

Question: Was any inquiry made regarding the amounts of loaded and total fuel at Varna and Tallinn airports? Regarding the technical condition of the aircraft, and, according to the CAC announcement, the involvement of Iranian specialists in its certification, the aircraft was granted one-time flight permission from Tallinn to Hostomel (Kyiv). This permission was given '...in accordance with international regulations...' as per the CAC announcement. I do not contest the right of any sovereign country's aviation authorities to grant such permissions.

Question: What emergency functions do the Iranian aviation authorities have regarding the authorization of the aircraft's flight from Tehran to Yerevan? Even if the I.R.I. possesses such functions under its internal legislation, what hinders them from fulfilling their requirements and returning the aircraft to the Republic of Armenia?

This has become lengthy. I will address the CAC charter, the 'Aviation' law of the Republic of Armenia, and other issues in my next post. Congratulations to our women on their holiday. Clear skies and a secure country, my dear ones.”