Kogalymavia Flight 9268

Kogalymavia
Flight
9268
(7K9268/KGL9268[lower-alpha 1] ) was an international
chartered passenger ight,[8] operated by Russian airline
Kogalymavia (branded as Metrojet), that crashed in
northern Sinai on 31 October 2015 at 04:12 UTC (06:12
EST) following departure from Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, Egypt, en route to Pulkovo Airport,
Saint Petersburg, Russia.[6][9][10]
The aircraft, an Airbus A321231, was carrying 217
passengers and seven crew members.[2][11] Of those
mostly tourists aboard, the majority were Russian, four
were Ukrainian and one was Belarusian.[12]
With the death toll of 224 people,[13] the crash of Flight
9268 is the deadliest in Egyptian territory, surpassing the
2004 crash of Flash Airlines Flight 604. It is also the
deadliest air crash involving an Airbus A321, surpassing
Airblue Flight 202; the deadliest of the Airbus A320 family, surpassing TAM Airlines Flight 3054; and the deadliest air disaster to occur in 2015, surpassing Germanwings
Flight 9525.

Aircraft

The aircraft that crashed was an 18-year-old Airbus

A321-231, serial number 663, registered.[14] It was delivered to Middle East Airlines in May 1997 with the
registry as F-OHMP. It later served for Onur Air and
Saudi Arabian Airlines as TC-OAE, until October 2011.
In April 2012 Kolavia acquired the plane as EI-ETJ and
transferred it to Kogalymavia in May.[15] The aircraft was
powered by two IAE V2533 engines and congured to
carry 220 passengers in an economy conguration.[16][17]
At the time of the crash, it was owned by AerCap
and leased to Kolavia.[18] The aircraft had accumulated
56,000 ight hours on nearly 21,000 ights.[14]

The route of the aircraft.

Federal Air Transport Agency conrmed the ight disappeared from radar. Initially, the head of Egypts civil
aviation accident body, Ayman al-Muqaddam, said: The
... Russian airline had told us that the Russian plane we
lost contact with is safe and that it has contacted Turkish air trac control and is passing through Turkish skies
now. Flightradar24 also posted on Twitter: Its NOT
[sic] conrmed that this ight has crashed. It descended
5,000 feet (1,500 metres) before Flightradar24 coverage
On 16 November 2001, while operating for Middle East was lost.[21]
Airlines as F-OHMP, the aircraft suered a tail strike
landing in Cairo. The aircraft was repaired and went back The captain of the ight had reportedly told ATC that
there was a technical fault and had requested a route
into service with the airline in 2002.[19]
change, although there was no indication whether a
change had occurred.[22] Interfax reported that the aircraft requested an emergency landing at El Arish Interna2 Crash
tional Airport before disappearing.[23][24] The Egyptian
Civilian Aviation Ministry issued a statement that indiFlight 9268 left Sharm el-Sheikh airport at 05:58 (EST) cated the ight was at an altitude of 31,000 ft (9,400 m)
for Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg, Russia with 217 when it disappeared from radar screens after a reported
passengers. The aircraft failed to make contact with steep descent down by 5,000 ft (1,500 m). It had disapCyprus Air Trac Control 23 minutes later.[20] Russias peared in a mountainous area in central Sinai with poor
1

weather conditions making it dicult for rescue crews to

get to the scene. An unnamed security source said that
any survivors and the bodies of those who died would be
own to Cairo.[22] The descent of 5,000 ft (1,500 m) occurred in one minute shortly before it disappeared 50 km
(31 mi) north east of Nekhel.[25] Reuters quoted an unnamed security ocer as saying that the aircraft has been
completely destroyed.[26]

2.1

Response

Eurocontrol's Air Flow Trac Management (CFMU) issued a notice to all operators along the route shortly after the aircrafts disappearance that because of technical problems all ights would be tactically re-routed, although the notice was redacted shortly thereafter.[6]
Unnamed Egyptian authorities indicated that the rst
parts of the wreckage had been located.[6] Fifty ambulances were sent to the crash site[26] near Housna, 300
kilometres (190 mi) from Sharm el-Sheikh.[27] Unnamed
Egyptian ocials reported that the aircraft split in two
and most bodies were found strapped to their seats. Initial
reports indicated that voices of trapped passengers could
be heard in a section of the crashed aircraft,[22] suggesting some survivors.[28] At least 100 bodies were initially
found,[4] including at least ve children.[3] All 224 passengers and crew died.[24] The Association of Tour Operators of Russia released the passenger manifest of all
those thought to have been on the ight.[29]

Passengers and crew

INVESTIGATION

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations was sending three of its aircraft to the crash site. The Investigative Committee also has launched a case against Kogalymavia under an article regulating violation of rules of
ights and preparations.[38][39] Kogalymavias employees were also questioned, along with those of the Brisco
tour agency that had chartered the ight. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry promised to work closely
with Russian ocials and investigators to nd the cause
of the accident. The aircraft had successfully undergone
technical checks before taking-o. Investigators would
also view the security camera footage.[40] Soon after the
crash, the Russian Investigative Committee announced
that it would be conducting tests on fuel samples taken
from the aircraft at its last fuel uplift in the Russian city
of Samara.[41]
The aviation accident investigation agencies BEA
(France) and BFU (Germany) will also participate
in the investigation as representatives for the state of
the aircrafts design and manufacture, respectively.[42]
The BEA will send two investigators, accompanied
by six representatives from Airbus, to Egypt on 1
November.[42] According to the BEA, they will join
two investigators from the BFU and four investigators
from the Interstate Aviation Committee, their Russian
counterpart, representing the state of the aircrafts
operator.[42]
Natalya Trukhacheva, the wife of co-pilot Sergei
Trukachev, disclosed in an interview with NTV that her
husband had complained about the aircrafts technical
state. She related that their daughter called him up before he ew out. He complained before the ight that
the technical condition of the aircraft left much to be
desired.[43]

Flight 9268 was carrying 217 passengers, including 17

children,[22] and seven crew members on board.[13] Most
of the passengers aboard were Russian,[33] according 4.1 Claims by Islamic State and refutation
to the Russian embassy;[34] while a majority were also
women.[35] Most of the passengers were tourists returnShortly after the crash, Islamic State (IS) claimed responing to Russia after holidaying at Red Sea resorts.[36]
sibility for the incident which occurred around an area of
According to the airline, the ights captain had over ghting between government forces and an IS aliate,
12,000 hours of ight time, including 3,800 hours on the Sinai Province.[44] Islamic State claimed this was in retype.[6]
venge for Russian air strikes against militants in Syria,
where IS controls territories, along with contiguous Iraqi
territories. Experts said Sinai Province does not have
surface-to-air missiles capable of hitting an aircraft at
4 Investigation
high altitude, even though they could not exclude the pos[45]
Ayman al-Muqaddam was appointed to investigate the sibility of a bomb on board the ight.
cause of the crash. In a statement, he indicated that the
pilot had made contact with the civil aviation authorities
and asked to land at the nearest airport. He suggested the
aircraft may have been attempting an emergency landing
at Al-Arish airport in north Sinai.[34] It crashed 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of the coastal city.[37] Though the
Sinai insurgency has been ongoing, there were no reports
the plane had been shot down, according to Egyptian security sources.[22]

Egyptian Army Spokesman Mohamed Samir rebutted the

claims in saying that the army sees no authenticity ...
They can put out whatever statements they want but there
is no proof at this point that terrorists were responsible for
this plane crash. We will know the true reasons when the
civil aviation authority in coordination with Russian authorities completes its investigation.[46] Similarly, Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov summarily dismissed the claims as fabrications due to a lack of evi-

3
dence from Egyptian civil aviation and security ocials
and Air Trac data.[47]
Lufthansa and Air France announced they would avoid
overying the Sinai peninsula until the cause of the accident has been determined. The United States Federal
Aviation Administration had previously told carriers under its jurisdiction to operate above FL260 while ying
over the Sinai. Germanys Luftfahrt-Bundesamt had told
its airlines the same thing.[6]

Responses

Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail conrmed that the

aircraft had crashed[6] and cancelled his meetings upon
hearing the news.[21] He was on his way to the crash site
along with other ministers on a private jet, according to
the Tourism Ministry.[26]

[2] Russian passenger plane crashes in Egypts Sinai, countrys Prime Minister says. cnn. Retrieved 31 October
2015.
[3] Egypt plane crash live: Crew of Kogalymavia Flight 9268
'had complained about engine problems". Independent.
31 October 2015.
[4] Egypt crash: 100 bodies pulled from wreckage after Russian plane 'splits in two'". Express. Retrieved 31 October
2015.
[5] No survivor on Russian passenger plane crashes in
Egypts Sinai, said countrys Prime Minister says. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[6] Crash: Metrojet A321 over Sinai on Oct 31st 2015, disappeared from radar in climb over Sinai. The Aviation
Herald.
[7] ICAO Airline Designators beginning with K.
linecodes.co.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2015.

air-

Russian Foreign Minister Spokeswoman Maria Za- [8] Technical issues before losing contact: Putin sends reskharova noted that the Russian embassy was following
cue teams to wreckage of Russian airliner 'split in two'
the events.[34] President Vladimir Putin expressed his
with 224 on board. South China Morning Post. Retrieved
condolences to the families of the victims and an o31 October 2015.
cial investigation.[3] Putin also declared 1 November a
national day of mourning in Russia.[48] Israel, which bor- [9] " 79268 --"
(in Russian). 31 October 2015.
ders the Sinai peninsula, oered its assistance to Russia
[3]
and Egypt with surveillance and search eorts. Iranian [10] " .. RIA
President Hassan Rouhani expressed sympathy with RusNovosti (in Russian).
sia and the victims families.[49]
[11] Sawer, Patrick (31 October 2015).

Russian airliner

Airbus posted a note on Twitter that read: We are aware

crashes in Egypts Sinai peninsula with 219 or 224 people
of the media reports. Eorts are now going towards ason board. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 October
sessing the situation. We'll provide more information as
2015.
soon as available.[26] They also released a statement on
their website conrming the aircrafts MSN and engine [12] LifeNews publishes a list of the missing passengers of the
liner. LifeNews. 31 October 2015.
conguration.[50]
[13] " 9268
". EMERCOM (in Russian).

See also
List of accidents and incidents involving commercial
aircraft
List of aircraft accidents and incidents resulting in
at least 50 fatalities

Notes

[1] 7K is the IATA designator and KGL is the ICAO airline

designator.[7]

References

[1] Wreckage of Russian passenger plane found in Sinai:

Egypt govt. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 31 October
2015.

[14] Metrojet A321-200 ight 7K-9268 accident over Sinai

Peninsula (Press release). Airbus group. 31 October
2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[15] Metrojet Russia EI-ETJ (Airbus A321 MSN 663) (Ex
F-OHMP TC-OAE ) Aireets aviation. aireets.net.
Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[16] EI-ETJ Metrojet Airbus A321-231 cn 663. planespotters.net. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[17] Lin Noueihed (31 October 2015). Flight 7K9268 plane
crash: Russian passenger jet with 224 people on board
'has crashed over Egypt'". Mirror.
[18] MetroJet A321 crashes in Sinai while en route to St Petersburg. Flightglobal. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31
October 2015.
[19] Harro Ranter (16 November 2001). ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A321-231 F-OHMP Cairo International Airport (CAI)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 31 October
2015.

EXTERNAL LINKS

[20] Russian airliner crashes in central Sinai Egyptian PM.

BBC News. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

[38] Russia opens criminal case after airliner crashes in Egypt

-agencies. Mail Online. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

[21] Russian Airliner With 224 on Board Crashes in Egypt.

Sputnik. 31 October 2015.

[39] Russian Emergencies Ministry sends rescuers to Egypt.

en.mchs.ru. Retrieved 1 November 2015.

[22] Jessica Best (31 October 2015). Egypt plane crash:

Live updates as Russian passenger jet carrying 224 people
crashes in Central Sinai.

[40] The Latest: Russians search Metrojet oce after crash.

Yahoo.news.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

[23] Mohammed, Yusri; Hassan, Ahmed Mohamed (31 October 2015). Russian airliner with 224 aboard crashes in
Egypts Sinai, all killed. Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 31
October 2015.
[24] Thomas, Merna; Neil MacFarquhar (31 October 2015).
Russian Plane Crash in Sinai Peninsula Kills 224. The
New York Times. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[25] EI-ETJ Aircraft info and ight history.
tRadar24. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

Fligh-

[26] Updates: Russian airliner crashes in Egypts Sinai peninsula. BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[27] Russian plane crashes in Sinai, reportedly killing all 224
people on board. CNN. 31 October 2015.
[28] No survivors Egyptian ocials. Blog Post.
Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

The

[29] " 9268

". atorus.ru (in Russian). ATOR.
Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[30] "
A321. Dozhd.
[31] "

". . 31 October 2015. Retrieved
31 October 2015.
[32] " ,

".

. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October

2015.
[33] Don Melvin and Ray Sanchez (31 October 2015).
Russian plane crash in Sinai: All 224 on board killed.
CNN. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[34] Jessica Elgot. Russian passenger plane crashes in Egypts
Sinai latest. The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October
2015.
[35] "'We are ying home:' Grief & disbelief in Russia over
shocking Sinai air crash. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 1
November 2015.

[41] Russian plane crash in Sinai. BBC News. Retrieved 31

October 2015.
[42] Accident in the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt) to the Airbus
A321-231, registered EI-ETJ, ight 7K-9268, on Saturday 31 October 2015 (Press release). Bureau d'Enqutes
et d'Analyses pour la Scurit de l'Aviation Civile. 201510-31. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[43] Brian Rohan; Hamza Hendawi (31 October 2015).
Ocials Search for Cause of Plane Crash Over
Egypts Sinai.
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: ABC
News/Associated Press. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
Natalya Trukhacheva, identied as the wife of co-pilot
Sergei Trukachev, said in an interview with Russian statecontrolled NTV that her husband had complained about
the planes condition. She said a daughter called him up
before he ew out. He complained before the ight that
the technical condition of the aircraft left much to be desired. One Egyptian ocial, Ayman al-Muqadem of the
governments Aviation Incidents Committee, said that before the plane lost contact with air trac controllers, the
pilot had radioed and said the aircraft was experiencing
technical problems and that he intended to try and land at
the nearest airport.
[44] Updates: Russian airliner crashes in Egypts Sinai peninsula. BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[45] IS claims downing in Sinai of Russian plane carrying
224. Yahoo.news.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[46] Russia, Egypt deny Daesh downed plane. PressTV. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[47] IS claim 'a fabrication'". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 31
October 2015.
[48] Bush, Jason (31 October 2015). Russias Putin declares
day of mourning after airliner crash in Egypt. Reuters.
Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[49] Iran condoles with Russia over plane crash. PressTV.
Retrieved 31 October 2015.
[50] METROJET A321-200 FLIGHT 7K-9268 ACCIDENT
OVER SINAI PENINSULA. Airbus. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

9 External links

[36] Dearden, Lizzie (31 October 2015). Egypt plane crash:

What we know so far about Metrojet ight 9268. The
Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

Crisis Airbus page about the incident

[37] Mohammed, Yusri; Farouk, Ehab. Russian airliner with

224 aboard crashes in Egypts Sinai. Reuters. Retrieved
31 October 2015.

Aircraft info and ight history Flightradar24

Accident in the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt) BEA

10

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

10.1

Text

Kogalymavia Flight 9268 Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kogalymavia_Flight_9268?oldid=688487678 Contributors: Rmhermen,

WhisperToMe, Owen, Capitalistroadster, Edcolins, FPAtl, Stefanomione, Ahunt, Kresspahl, Wavelength, Chensiyuan, CambridgeBayWeather, Mareklug, Paul Magnussen, Fiveninerzero, NFH, Mjroots, John Broughton, Mardus, Hux, Clpo13, Gil mo, Neo-Jay, Veggies,
Peterwhy, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, John, MilborneOne, Dr.K., Michaelh2001, VanHelsing.16, Kenyan105, Necessary Evil, Hebrides,
Lugnuts, NapoliRoma, Jetstreamer, Rif Wineld, Bus stop, WWGB, Michael Frind, Sunnydoo, Jrubenc, Piledhigheranddeeper, AgnosticPreachersKid, Amj726, Narayansg, Lihaas, Archon 2488, Gilo1969, Swd, Buttons0603, Bowiz2, Jujutacular, Juanr2099, AHeneen,
Lotje, Undescribed, Helium4, MKY661, Italia2006, Champion, SpikeballUnion, Orange Suede Sofa, ClueBot NG, Meltdown627, Fudpukker, Gautehuus, SugarRat, Greenknight dv, Andrewgprout, Regicide1649, Jereydavidspeck, Triggerhippie4, Arizonatsunami, Egeymi,
Martinillo, Win0922, Corn cheese, Ueutyi, Meganesia, STH235SilverLover, 1982vdven, Tigercompanion25, Tntad, Ceosad, Nockayoub,
Mishu57, LordHello1, BobNesh, Donottroll, HFS-er, Indexgloss, LL221W, Opdire657, Vesuvius Dogg, ZJOEY, Kiwist, Global aviator,
IllusIon, Jfault, Whydoesitfeelsogood, SuperCarnivore591, PaPa PaPaRoony, LakthaVarion, Lottolads, Adog104, InspireTheWorld, Inrine,
Gizmocorot, Vpab15, Burak1789547, Varslek, Markdoeswiki, EnRouteAviation, Cekoeru, Basilmorgen, A-ry Cena, JamesRamey835,
Hasabujjaman1 and Anonymous: 43

10.2

Images

File:Airbus_A321-231_MetroJet_EI-ETJ.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Airbus_A321-231_

MetroJet_EI-ETJ.JPG License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Sergey Korovkin 84
File:Ambox_currentevent.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Ambox_currentevent.svg License: CC0
Contributors: self-made, inspired by Gnome globe current event.svg, using Information icon3.svg and Earth clip art.svg Original artist:
Vipersnake151, penubag, Tkgd2007 (clock)
File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original
artist: ?
File:Flag_of_Belarus.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Flag_of_Belarus.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: http://www.tnpa.by/ViewFileText.php?UrlRid=52178&UrlOnd=%D1%D2%C1%20911-2008 Original artist: Zscout370
File:Flag_of_Russia.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/Flag_of_Russia.svg License: PD Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Flag_of_Ukraine.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Flag_of_Ukraine.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: 4512:2006 - .
SVG: 2010
Original artist:
File:Flight_7K9268_crash.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Flight_7K9268_crash.svg License: CC
BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Background map prepared using GMT, EPS converted to PDF and edited using Inkscape.
Borders and shoreline: GSHHS database (Generic Mapping Tools)
Flight line: manually drawn looking at FlightRadar24.com track
Original artist: Nzeemin

10.3

Content license

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