Airliner Forced Into Russia

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29716, 9 January 1962, Page 11

Airliner Forced Into Russia

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright)

ISTANBUL, January 8.

A Caravelle jet airliner of the Belgian airlines Sabena was today intercepted by Russian MIG fighters near the TurkishPersian border and taken to Erevan, in Soviet Armenia, Instanbul Airport authorities said.

The Caravelle was heading from Teheran to Istanbul. It left Teheran at 4.27 a.m. local time this morning. It was believed the plane’s radio compass went out of order near Eastern Turkey. Report to Tower

The Caravelle’s pilot reported to the airport tower at Ankara that there were MiG fighters round his plane and said: “I don’t know what they want from me.” The pilot asked the tower to remain in contact with him. He said he did not know the exact position on his plane because his compass washout of order. "I have to follow the MiG fighters. I believe they are taking me to Russia,” he said.

There were no further messages.

The plane, which was tracked by Turkish radar.

was reported to be carrying 19 passengers and a crew of eight. Sabena officials in Istanbul said the plane apparently had landed safely at Erevan. They had no reports that the jet had been fired on, the Associated Press said. Release Sought A.P. reported from Moscow that the Belgian Embassy today requested immediate release of the airliner. The Soviet Foreign Office was investigating, diplomatic sources said. A Belgian official said the plane apparently had strayed across the Soviet frontier. "Evidently its radar contacts were defective," the official said. The Belgian Embassy had requested the plane to be allowed to leave for Istanbul immediately, he said.