On Sunday, August 24, 2008, a Boeing 737 operated by Itek Air was en route from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to Tehran, Iran. Reports have indicated that the flight crew reported a technical malfunction a mere five minutes after takeoff. Upon the return approach, the aircraft crashed, likely caused by decompression. Of the 90 passengers and crew on board, only 25 survived this terrible crash, including the entire flight crew. The passengers aboard the accident flight included a high school sports team from Bishkek, Kyrgyz citizens, Iranians, Kazakhs, Canadians one citizen of Turkey and one citizen of China.
Itek Air is an airline based in Kyrgyzstan which has been subject to a ban from the European Community (EC) since July 24, 2008. Because of the airline’s lack of certain safety standards, Itek Air is banned from flying anywhere in EC airspace. It has been reported that the Iranian airline Iran Asseman Airlines chartered the incident aircraft for the flight to Iran.
The Boeing 737, registration number EX-009, was manufactured in 1980 and was previously owned by Air New Zealand, COPA Panama, and Phoenix Aviation. Itek Air purchased the Boeing 737 on April 23, 2006. Like many Boeing manufactured aircraft, this 737 was equipped with Pratt & Whitney manufactured JT-8D engines. Mary Schiavo and the Motley Rice aviation team have experience in litigating cases involving Boeing’s 737 aircraft as well as engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney.
The Motley Rice aviation team is investigating this accident and any legal responsibility that Itek Air, Iran Asseman Airlines, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney may have to the families of the victims of this tragic accident. If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to wrongful death or personal injury as a result of this accident, please contact Motley Rice aviation attorney Mary Schiavo at (843) 216-9138 or toll free at 1-800-768-4026.
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