CNN reported that US intelligence launched an investigation into the crash, which killed 176 passengers • It is suspected that the Iranians mistakenly believed it was a US assault
Ukrainian plane crash site // Photo: IP
There is growing suspicion that the crash of the Ukrainian plane was not due to an accident, but that Iran's air defense systems accidentally intercepted it. CNN reported Wednesday that US intelligence has launched an investigation into the crash.
In the past, two passenger planes had already been dropped as a result of an anti-aircraft fire that was accidentally shot at them. In 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight 17 was intercepted by a Russian anti-aircraft missile as it flew over Ukraine during the military confrontation with Russia. The 298 passengers and crew were killed. In October 2001, Siberia Airlines' Topol 154 aircraft was shot down as it passed over the Ukraine, accidentally firing an anti-aircraft missile during training. 78 passengers and crew, including 51 Israeli nationals, were killed.
The Ukraine International Airlines' Boeing 737 crashed shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran on its way to the Kiev home. After the crash, the plane caught fire. All 176 passengers and crew who were on the plane were killed. The plane reportedly had 62 Canadian citizens and 82 Iranians.
The Iranian News Agency said the plane crashed between the cities of Farand and Shaharir, and the crash was likely due to a technical failure. The crash area reached rescue teams with dozens of ambulances but could not operate at the scene as the plane was engulfed in flames. The plane was three years old, delivered to the Ukrainian company in July 2016 and about three weeks ago landed in Israel on a flight from Kiev.
Witnesses said they saw fire breaking out of the engines when the plane was in the air. According to surveillance data, it crashed when it was 7,925 feet (about 2.5 miles).
Boeing said they were still investigating the details of the accident.
Ukrainian plane crash site // Photo: IP
A few days ago, Boeing CEO resigned after a series of recent company failures and incidents, led by the crash of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from the Indonesian company Lion Air and Ethiopian last year.
About three weeks ago, a poker plane crashed in Kazakhstan under similar circumstances. In this case, too, the plane crashed immediately after the failed take-off attempt. In an accident that occurred in Kazakhstan, most passengers survived the crash.
Until recently, American Boeing was considered the world's largest and leading aircraft manufacturer. The recent events hit the company's name and image and now, as mentioned, another narrow body of the company has crashed in Tehran.
"Ukraine International Airlines" is a very popular airline among Israeli travelers on flights from Tel Aviv to Ukraine. Many Israeli travelers continue with the company to various destinations around the world, including the United States and Eastern destinations.
Ukrainian plane crash site // Photo: IP
Ukrainian plane crash site // Photo: IP
