Overview
On July 17, 2014, a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, registration 9M-MRD, operated by Malaysia Airlines as Flight MH17, crashed in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, near the village of Hrabove. The flight was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to air traffic control, the aircraft was cruising at flight level 380 (10,050 meters) in the Dnipropetrovsk flight information region when radar contact and radio communication were lost approximately 50 kilometers west of the TAMAK navigational point.
Investigation Timeline
On July 18, 2014, the National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine established a commission to investigate the crash, led by the Bureau's director. The same day, the Bureau notified states of registration, manufacturer, and designer, as well as international aviation organizations, as per Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. The United States, Netherlands, and Malaysia appointed accredited representatives.
On July 19, 2014, a government commission decided to form an international team for technical investigation. The team included representatives from the National Bureau, the State Aviation Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian air navigation service provider (UkSATSE), and accredited representatives from states of the operator, states whose citizens were on board, and the aircraft's designer and manufacturer.
Data Analysis and Recorder Reading
On July 20, 2014, the international investigation team held its first meeting, with a live radio conference to the field team at the crash site. Wreckage, including the center wing section, was inspected and documented. Work was complicated by the wide dispersion and severe damage of debris.
On July 21, 2014, flight data and cockpit voice recorders (black boxes) were transferred to international experts in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The recorders were then taken to the United Kingdom for reading. On July 23, 2014, specialists from ICAO accompanied the recorders during transfer. Reading commenced on July 24, 2014, in the presence of representatives from the US, Malaysia, Netherlands, Germany, and Ukraine. No external tampering with the recorder storage systems was confirmed. The recorded information was in satisfactory condition.
A comparative analysis of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data and ground radar data confirmed that the aircraft remained within established air traffic service routes while in Ukrainian airspace. Transcripts of air traffic control communications were analyzed, and no issues were raised by the international expert group regarding the performance of Ukrainian controllers.
Dispute Over Cockpit Voice Recorder Data
On July 24, 2014, the Ukrainian Bureau reported that the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) had refused to provide the original cockpit voice recorder data to Ukraine, offering instead a processed file with background noise and extraneous information removed. Ukraine considered this unacceptable and demanded the original file. The Bureau prepared a formal request.
Transfer of Investigation Authority
On July 22-23, 2014, the Netherlands proposed taking over the technical investigation. On July 24, 2014, an agreement was signed between the Ukrainian Bureau and the Dutch Safety Board, transferring responsibility for the investigation to the Netherlands. The agreement was signed by Oleg Babenko, Director of the Ukrainian Bureau, and Tjibbe Visser, Director of the Dutch Safety Board. Under the agreement, Ukraine retains the right to participate through accredited representatives, advisors, and experts. The Dutch Safety Board coordinates the work of investigators from Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, as well as representatives from ICAO and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Engineering and Field Work
The engineering subgroup analyzed and identified aircraft fragments with coordinate mapping and completed analysis of the aircraft's trajectory and breakup. Discussions included evacuation of major fragments to scientific laboratories, transport logistics, and needed equipment.
On July 23, 2014, an international working group visited the Ukrainian air navigation service provider to review flight information from the aircraft's entry into the Lviv area control center until the crash. Representatives from the AAIB and EASA confirmed previous conclusions that Ukrainian air traffic service actions were correct and did not influence the development of the accident.
Summary of Findings at Transfer
On July 23, 2014, international experts presented a summary of the investigation up to the transfer of authority from Ukraine to the Netherlands. The summary included: analysis of satellite information; flight parameter data obtained via wireless communication channels; identification of aircraft debris in cooperation with Boeing; and review of onboard documentation found at the crash site.