All feared dead after Iran plane hits peak
OFFICIALS FEAR all on board an Iranian commercial aeroplane that crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of southern Iran have died.
The plane, which was carrying 65 people, was only brought back into service months ago after being grounded for seven years.
The crash of the Aseman Airlines ATR-72 marks yet another fatal aviation disaster for Iran, which for years was barred from buying aircraft parts for vital maintenance due to Western sanctions over its contested nuclear programme.
Its nuclear accord with world powers allows it to get those parts and the country has made deals worth tens of billions of dollars for new aircraft. However, US President Donald Trump’s refusal to re-certify the deal has made those sales uncertain while Iranians still fly in ageing aircraft.
The ATR-72, a twin-engine turboprop used for short-distance regional flying, went down near its destination of the southern Iranian city of Yasuj, some 485 miles south of the Iranian capital, Tehran, where it took off.
It is not clear what caused the crash, although weather was severe in the area. Dense fog, high winds and heavy snow in the Zagros Mountains made it impossible for rescue crews in helicopters to reach the site yesterday.
Aseman Airlines spokesman Mohammad Taghi Tabatabai told state TV that all on board Flight No. EP3704 were killed. Those on board included 59 passengers and six crew members.
“After searching the area, we learned that unfortunately ... our dear passengers had lost their lives,” Mr Tabatabai said. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani offered their condolences.
Mr Tabatabai said the plane crashed into Mount Dena, which is about 14,435ft tall. The plane’s last signal, at 0555 GMT, showed it at 16,975ft and descending.
One previous passenger on the route posted a video showing that the flight typically comes in just over the mountain peaks. Aeronautical charts for the airport warn pilots to keep an altitude of 15,000ft.
Aseman Airlines is Iran’s thirdlargest airline by fleet size, behind state carrier Iran Air and Mahan Air. However, it is banned from flying in the European Union over safety concerns.
The ATR-72 that crashed had been built in 1993. On Instagram, Aseman Airlines highlighted the doomed aircraft in October, saying it had been “grounded” for seven years but would be “repaired and will be operational after checking and testing”. It was not clear what led to the grounding,