Statement

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is committed to keeping Canadians, particularly the families and loved ones of those killed in the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, informed of its activities in support of the Iranian-led safety investigation as soon as, and to the greatest extent, it can.

The TSB was informed that the download of the PS752 recorders will take place at the French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA) in Paris, during the week of 20 July 2020. The TSB has been invited to participate in the download of the recorders and will deploy a team of investigators who specialize in aircraft recorder download and analysis. All necessary health precautions will be taken to ensure safe travel for our investigators.

Conduct of international air transportation safety investigations

Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation governs the conduct of international aircraft accident and incident investigations. In the case of the downing of Flight PS752, the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the state in which the accident occurred (the State of Occurrence), is leading the safety investigation through its Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

Under this annex, Ukraine, the U.S and France are entitled to participate in the safety investigation by appointing an Accredited Representative.

Canada, as a state with a special interest by virtue of fatalities to its citizens, is entitled to appoint an Expert to the safety investigation, who is only entitled to:

• Visit the scene of the accident;
• Have access to the relevant factual information that is approved for public release by the State conducting the investigation (Iran), and information on the progress of the investigation; and
• Receive a copy of the final report.

The status of Expert does not allow active participation in the air transportation safety investigation.

As per Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, information on the progress and the findings of the investigation cannot be shared without the express consent of the State of Occurrence. In keeping with this convention, the TSB will not be able to share any information it learns during this recorder download, unless express consent is given by the AAIB.

This is all the information available until further notice.