PRESS STATEMENT OF MR. TUNCAY DOĞANER, THE CEO OF ATLASJET AIRLINES
30.11.07
First of all, we wish God has mercy on martyrdoms who have lost thier lives. MD83 type passenger aircraft, with flight number KK 4203, belonging to World Focus Airlines, leased by Atlasjet Airlines, took off from Ataturk Airport at 00.50 to fly from Istanbul to Isparta.
There were 56 people on board the aircraft. Those were 49 passengers and 7 crew: 2 pilots, 4 cabin attendants and 1 technician. The pilots, cabin chief and flight technician on the flight are the staff of World Focus Airlines, 3 stewardesses from the cabin crew are the staff of Atlasjet Airlines. After take off, communication was established with the tower, over Isparta Airport, the airport was seen, and as from this moment communication with the aircraft has been cut off. At approximately 06.15, we were informed that the aircraft had crashed in the west of Kilinc District, the north of Cukuroren Village, the west of Turbetepe.
It has been determined that the aircraft had no technical problem during landing and take-off. After inbound (last approach to the airport for landing), communication with the aircraft was cut off.
As from the moment the event was learned, all related units including Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Turkish Air Force and Police Department started working on the event. According to the information rendered at approximately 06.15, the aircraft was found to be on a hill of approximately 5.000 feet in the northwest of the airport. Search and rescue teams tried to reach the venue over-land. Because it is a highland, teams are having difficulty to reach the area. According to the information received from the search and rescue helicopter, no vital sign has been determined up to now.
Ministry of Transport, General Directorate of Civil Aviation, our company and the entire Turkish Republic are concentrated on this event. We took all types of measures at the airport; unfortunately, no effort can bring back those who lost their lives.
Today at 11.20, Managers of Atlasjet Airlines will depart for Isparta together with the passengers’ relatives. Our return back to Istanbul will be determined in line with the progresses in Isparta. As I have previously mentioned, there is not any bad weather condition. Besides, the weather is moonlit and extremely appropriate for the flight. Our pilots have just returned from trainings and are extremely experienced. It is not a piont at issue that the pilots were sleepless or restless. The fact, why the aircraft could not reach the airport after seeing the airport, will be determined at the end of detailed investigations.
As Atlasjet, all the responsibility regarding our passengers belong to us.
Further information will be rendered by Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Military officials and General Directorate of Civil Aviation.
Supplement: MD83 type passenger aircraft, with flight number KK 4203, operating the flight from Istanbul to Isparta at 23.20, took off at 00.50 with delay due to its late arrival in Istanbul from Pristina.
For detailed information:
Atlasjet Airlines Press and Public Relations Department
Sebla Genç : 0533 431 3095
Tunay Erdem : 0532 352 9078
WORLD FOCUS CREW
PILOTS
SERHAT ÖZDEMİR
TAHİR AKSOY
CABIN CHIEF
ÇAĞATAY ŞİRİN
FLIGHT TECHNICIAN
ALAATTİN ÇELİK GÜRTÜRK
ATLASJET CABIN CREW
MANA TOPÇU
SİNEM HATİCE VURGUN
MUMİNE BULUT
http://www.atlasjet.com/en/hakk_bizdenhaberler.asp