Birgenair Flight 301 was a flight chartered by Turkish-managed Birgenair partner Alas Nacionales (“National Wings”) from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic to Frankfurt, Germany via Gander, Canada and Berlin, Germany.
Who were the pilots of the Birgenair plane?
The captain was Ahmet Erdem (61), one of Birgenair’s most senior pilots, with 24,750 flight hours (including 1,875 hours on the Boeing 757) under his belt. The first officer was Aykut Gergin (34). He had 3,500 hours of flying experience, including 71 hours on the Boeing 757. The relief pilot was Muhlis Evrenesoğlu (51).
Why did Birgenair remove the pitot covers?
According to Cetin Birgen, president and CEO of Birgenair, the pitot covers were removed two days before the accident in order to conduct an engine test run. The investigation noted a number of other factors and suggested changes.
What caused Birgenair to go bankrupt?
Birgenair went bankrupt in October of the same year as there were concerns about safety after the accident, causing a decline in passenger numbers. The crash and ensuing negative publicity both contributed to Birgenair’s bankruptcy.
Birgenair Flight 301 was a flight chartered by Turkish-managed Birgenair partner Alas Nacionales (“National Wings”) from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic to Frankfurt, Germany, via Gander, Canada, and Berlin, Germany.
Who is Birgenair owned by?
Owned by the Turkish businessman Cetin Birgen, Birgenair operated charter flights from Western Europe to several Turkish holiday destinations, initially with DC-8 aircraft. Later it served the Turkish-German Discount travel and tourism Company Öger Tours for flights from Germany to the Caribbean with Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft.
Who were the passengers in the Birgenair plane crash?
The passengers consisted mainly of Germans, along with a few Poles. Most passengers had booked Caribbean package holidays with Öger Tours; Birgenair held 10% of Öger Tours. In terms of passenger deaths, Flight 301 has the highest death toll of any aviation accident involving a Boeing 757.
What happened to Birgenair’s Boeing 757?
In addition, Birgenair rented its Boeing 757-200 to the Argentine airline STAF in November 1995 and used it on five flight pairs between the Dominican Republic and Buenos Aires. After the lease ended in January 1996, the Boeing 757 was parked in Puerto Plata.
