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3.36
The flight crew of KE 007 was not aware of the presence of the USSR interceptor aircraft before or at the time of the attack.
3.37
KE 007 was hit by at least one of two air-to-air missiles fired from a USSR SU-15 interceptor aircraft.
3.38
As a result of the attack there was substantial damage to KE 007 which affected the controllability of the aircraft and caused a loss of cabin pressure. The flight crew of KE 007 retained limited control of the aircraft and responded correctly to the loss of cabin pressure.
3.39
It was not possible to determine the position of KE 007 at the time of the missile attack in relation to USSR sovereign airspace.
3.40 impact.
The flight recorders simultaneously ceased operation 1 minute 44 seconds after the missile
3.41
The aircraft descended in a spiral and radar contact was lost at 5 000 metres at 18:35 hours. It could not be established whether the crew was able to maintain limited control.
3.42
The aircraft was destroyed on impact with the sea. The impact was not survivable.
During the interception USSR rescue services were alerted and following the destruction of KE 007 they were directed to the area.
3.43
3.44
The Tokyo ACC and RCC took the appropriate steps to alert the emergency services when the aircraft became overdue.
4.
SAFETY ACTIONS TAKEN SINCE 1983
4.1
Following the ICAO fact-finding investigation of the destruction of Korean Air Lines flight KE 007 in 1983, the ICAO provisions pertaining to interception of civil aircraft were examined and amendments were made to Annexes 2, 6 (Parts I and II), 10 (Volume 1) and 11, the PANS-RAC (Doc 4444) and the PANS-OPS (Doc 8168). The Annex amendments became applicable in November 1986. Associated guidance material concerning interception of civil aircraft was developed and the Manual concerning Interception of Civil Aircraft (Doc 9433) was published in 1984.
4.2
Following the ICAO fact-finding investigation of the destruction of Iran Air flight 655 in 1988, a second edition of the Manual concerning Interception of Civil Aircraft (Doc 9433) was published in 1990. It consolidated all ICAO provisions and special recommendations relating to the interception of civil aircraft and contained guidance material in amplification of the various provisions and special recommendations. In addition, the Manual Concerning Safety Measures Relating to Military Activities Potentially Hazardous to Civil Aircraft Operations (Doc 9554) was developed and published in 1990.