68 Listed As dead In Iran-Bound Kyrgyz Itek Air 737 Crash

Tragedy has struck the international airline community again as an Itek Air 737 went down, killing at least 68 people, according to current reports.

The Boeing 737-200 was owned by Kyrgyz carrier, Itek Air, but operated by Iran Aseman Airlines. The aircraft went down near Manas International Airport, near the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. Ninety people were reported aboard and some 22 are currently reported to have survived. This appears to be the only 737 operated by Iran Aseman Airlines, which primarily flies out of Tehran, Bishkek, and Dushanbe. The aircraft was headed to Mashhad, Iran.

Airport officials reported that the accident occurred after the crew reported a technical problem some 10 minutes into the flight. The aircraft was in the process of returning to the field when it went down for unknown causes.

Media reports suggest that most of the passengers were Iranian citizens, and that a number of those aboard were members of a Kyrgyz youth basketball team.

Itek Air has been the subject of significant concern among international aviation safety officials. The airline has been banned from operating in EU airspace, and was placed on the banned list as of July 24th.

FMI: www.itekair.kg