Flight recorders from the Atlasjet Boeing MD-83 which crashed while preparing to land at Isparta Airport in Turkey are expected to be sent to the German accident investigation agency BFU for analysis.
Early findings from the inquiry released by the Turkish transport ministry have revealed little new information about the 30 November accident. It states that there was no radio communication problem and air traffic control has a clear record of the transmissions.
“The crew did not declare any technical problem to the tower,” the ministry adds. Both Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines were operating normally and the landing-gear had been deployed.
Flight KK4203 from Istanbul struck high terrain about 7nm (13km) west of the airport. Isparta has a single runway, designated 05/23, which is not equipped with an instrument landing system.
All navigation equipment at Isparta Airport was calibrated and functioning properly. Meteorological information in use at the time of the accident has been verified as correct and there were no weather-related difficulties.
There is no indication of in-flight fire and no evidence of sabotage, says the ministry. Turkish police are carrying out routine alcohol and drug tests.
Representatives of Germany’s BFU are to meet with Turkish counterparts in the next few days and a source familiar with the situation says that the two sides are to discuss co-operation on the investigation. He indicates that this will include BFU analysis of the cockpit-voice and flight-data recorders.
All 57 occupants of the MD-83 were killed in the accident. The Turkish transport ministry revised its original casualty figures upwards, to 50 passengers and seven crew members, after discovering a child had been omitted from the original list.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
