Investigation Summary
The flight was operating at a cruising altitude of approximately 35,000 feet when the crew noticed a discrepancy between the captain's and first officer's airspeed indications. One indicator erroneously showed an overspeed condition. In response, the crew reduced engine power, which led to a genuine loss of airspeed. As the aircraft slowed, the stick-shaker activated, warning of an impending stall. The crew's response was insufficient to recover the aircraft; it entered a steep descent and both engines suffered flameouts. The aircraft remained out of control until it impacted a mountainside at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet. The investigation highlighted that the crew's lack of effective communication and failure to follow standard procedures for unreliable airspeed led to the loss of the airframe.
Final Conclusions
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) of Iran issued its final report in March 2020. The investigation concluded that the primary causes were insufficient training for airspeed indication failure and poor crew resource management (CRM). The crew failed to correctly diagnose the pitot-static discrepancy and applied incorrect control inputs that exacerbated the stall rather than recovering from it.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Airspeed Indicators
Instruments that provide flight speed data; a discrepancy between the two primary displays led the crew to believe they were in an overspeed condition.
Stick-shaker
A mechanical device that rapidly and noisily vibrates the control yoke to warn the pilot that an aerodynamic stall is imminent.
Engines
Both engines experienced flameouts during the uncontrolled descent following the stall.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying eight passengers and three crew members.
- 02The passengers were a group of friends returning from a bachelorette party in Dubai.
- 03One witness reported seeing the aircraft on fire before it impacted the ground.
- 04While 11 body bags were recovered from the site, the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization stated that the remains of Captain Beril Gebeş could not be identified among them via DNA testing.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Training Enhancement
The final report emphasized the need for improved pilot training regarding unreliable airspeed indications and stall recovery procedures at high altitudes.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Missing Remains of the Captain
Reference ↗Following the recovery of 11 body bags, the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization stated that the remains of Captain Beril Gebeş were not among those identified via DNA testing.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.