Accident Notification
The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) notified the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of an accident involving a Boeing 737 airplane. The event occurred on February 15, 2020, according to the notification. The NTSB has not released any additional details about the accident, including the specific model of the Boeing 737, the registration number, or the operator.
Investigation and International Cooperation
In response to the notification, the NTSB appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the North Korean government's investigation. This appointment follows the provisions of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), which governs international cooperation in aircraft accident investigations. All investigative information related to the accident will be released by the government of North Korea. The NTSB's role is to provide support and coordination under the framework of ICAO Annex 13, which includes sharing technical expertise and facilitating the participation of the state of registry, operator, and manufacturer if applicable.
As of the time of this report, no further details regarding the circumstances of the accident, including the number of occupants, injuries, or damage, have been disclosed. The investigation is being conducted under the authority of North Korea, and the NTSB will not release any information directly. The appointment of an Accredited Representative is a standard procedure to ensure that the interests of the United States, as the state of manufacture of the Boeing 737, are represented during the investigation. The investigation process will follow the guidelines set forth in ICAO Annex 13, which emphasizes the need for cooperation and transparency among participating states.