FLIGHT PS752 DOWNING & SAFER SKIES INITIATIVE
LOCATION: TEHRAN, IRAN
Issue/Source: UPDATE ON CANADA’S RESPONSE TO THE DOWNING OF Ukraine international airlines flight ps752
Date: MAY 13, 2021
SUGGESTED RESPONSES
- Iran released its Final Accident Investigation Report into the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 (PS752) on March 17, 2021. It is Transport Canada and Global Affairs Canada’s assessment that the report is incomplete and does not answer many important questions raised by Canada, for which the families of the victims, and all Canadians, deserve answers.
- Canada’s Forensic Examination and Assessment Team will soon be releasing a report of its own containing factual information that will help answer some of the outstanding questions surrounding the downing of Flight PS752.
- In addition, the Government of Canada is proposing a broad strategy in response to the downing of PS752, which seeks accountability and justice from Iran, and to prevent future civilian aircraft downing over or near conflict zones.
- To further these priorities, Canada is pursuing work at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to advance:
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- Canada’s Safer Skies Initiative; and,
- Reforms to ICAO’s international accident investigation regime (i.e., Annex 13).
- Canada is also participating in State-to-State negotiations to secure compensation and accountability from Iran in accordance with international law.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Downing of Flight PS752 and Transport Canada Response
On January 8, 2020, Flight PS752 was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. All 176 people aboard the flight died, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. Many others had ties to Canada.
Immediately following the downing of PS752, TC called upon the Five Eyes community to gather information and intelligence, including satellite data and images to determine the cause of the crash. TC also reached out to Ukraine to offer technical assistance, which led to the deployment of a senior TC analyst to closely monitor investigation efforts and progress by Ukraine officials.
On January 10, 2020, TC issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising Canadian air operators not to enter the airspace of Iran and Iraq. Since then, TC has issued NOTAMs covering the airspaces of Syria, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
Shortly after the crash, Canada established the Safer Skies Initiative to mitigate risks to civil aviation operations in or near conflict zones (see Annex A).
TC also established a Conflict Zone Information Office (CZIO) to:
- monitor foreign conflict zones 24/7;
- enable efficient and timely sharing of information and intelligence domestically;
- develop and implement the Safer Skies Initiative, enabling broader international dialogue, awareness and advocacy regarding Conflict Zone overflight risk mitigation; and,
- pursue and support Conflict Zone related work at ICAO. The CZIO, which is based on international best practices, became operational in late June 2020.
On July 20, 2020, the black box recorders from flight PS752 were transferred to France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA) located in Paris. Two investigators from Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) took part in examining a readout of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders. A preliminary analysis of the data confirmed the fact of illegal interference by Iran.
Release of Iran’s Final Accident Investigation Report into the downing of PS752
Iran’s final investigation report into the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was released on March 17, 2021.
On March 19, 2021, Canada’s Permanent Representative to ICAO delivered a statement during the ICAO Council closure of the 222nd session acknowledging the release of Iran’s Final Investigation report, and stating that Canada remains deeply concerned about the lack of comprehensiveness in this report.
Overall, the report presented an incomplete account of events and failed to outline relevant actions by military and civilian authorities that likely contributed to the shoot-down. Once Canada’s review is completed, it will issue an official government response, as well as next steps.
Canada is committed to working with its partners to address shortcomings in ICAO’s system for aircraft accident investigations as made evident by Iran’s safety investigation into the downing of PS752, and its subsequent report. Canada is exploring options at ICAO, including the pursuit of amendments to existing SARPs, to ensure that future investigations are conducted in a more credible, transparent and impartial manner.
Canada’s Response at ICAO
On March 11, 2020, under the auspice of the Safer Skies Initiative, the Minister of Transport presented a Working Paper to the ICAO Council entitled “Risks to Civil Aviation in Conflict Zones: A Safer Skies Initiative and Next Steps for ICAO”. The paper, co-sponsored by nine States, suggested carrying out a comprehensive gap analysis to identify what safety and security mitigations and measures are already in place or underway in relation to conflict zones, and what more remained to be done across the spectrum of ICAO instruments, SARPs, and guidance material. The gap analysis has since been completed.
On November 6, 2020, Minister Garneau addressed the Council to share Canada’s plans to commemorate the victims of PS752, highlight the creation of the Forensic Team and of the Conflict Zone Information Office (CZIO), invite Council to join the first international Safer Skies Forum, and reiterate Canada’s expectations in regards to Iran’s Annex 13 Investigation Report.
The ICAO Secretariat will present a progress report on its Safer Skies related activities at the 223rd ICAO Council Session taking place in June. Those activities are intended to prioritize and coordinate work in the following areas:
- A phased approach for the effective implementation of activities in support of recent amendments to SARPs related to airspace management and conflict zones;
- The updating of SARPs and guidance material related to airspace management and conflict zones where warranted by evidence-based, risk-informed decision-making.
Commemorating the Victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 and Other Air Disasters
On December 23, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada will designate January 8 of every year as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.