On Jan 9th 2020 Iran's AIB released a*brief first report in Persian*stating the aircraft began taxi for departure at 06:05L, commenced takeoff at 06:12L and in contact with Imam Khomeini Tower was cleared to climb to FL260. At 06:18L the aircraft climbed through 8000 feet, when the aircraft disappeared from radar, no radio message was received from the aircraft afterwards. Until that point the aircraft had been heading westwards, subsequently it made a right turn as if turning back to the airport due to a technical problem, but impacted ground on that way. A huge explosion occurred as result of impact with the ground. Initial contact with the ground was in a park area, several more collisions with the ground occurred as the aircraft broke up and spread along its trajectory. The ELT activated, however, its antenna separated from the device. All occupants, 167 passengers and 9 crew, perished in the crash, 146 of the passengers used Iranian passports for check in (a number of them holding multiple citizenships), 10 passengers used Afghan, 5 used Canadian, 4 used Swedish and two used Ukrainian passports (all 9 crew also used Ukrainian passports). Witnesses on the ground as well as flight crews at altitude observing the aircraft reported the aircraft was on fire. Both cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were found with impact and fire damage, the memory units are available however also show physical damage on main parts. The AIB sent initial notifications of the accident to Ukraine as country of registration and operation of the aircraft, to the USA as manufacturer, Sweden and Canada as applicants whose nationals were involved in the accident. The AIB requested the Ukraine to participate in the investigation. In accordance with the Chicago Convention the Iranian AIB invites all states, that are recognized as participants into the accident investigation by this document, to accredit representatives. A team of Ukrainian experts are already being dispatched to Iran.
