BRUC@MIT-ML@sri-unix.UUCP (09/03/83)
From: Robert E. Bruccoleri <BRUC @ MIT-ML> What does international law have to say about flying through another nation's airspace? Are there any circumstances within the legal framework or treaties where the Russian's actions were "legal"? One thing that I don't understand about this incident. With 8 planes chasing after this airliner, wouldn't it have been possible for them to surround the aircraft and force it to fly toward a Russian airport to make it land and then inspect the aircraft in a search for espionage material?
speaker@umcp-cs.UUCP (09/06/83)
To: cvl!rlgvax!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!BRUC@MIT-ML
Subject: Re: KAL airliner destruction
References: <4849@sri-arpa.UUCP>
National airspace is violated everyday (although perhaps not
to the extent that it was by the KAL jetliner).
Yes, the russian Su15 (not Mig) SHOULD have warned the Korean
pilot and forced him down by waggling his wings or something.
- Speaker
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This must be hell...all I can see are flames, towering flames!daver@hp-pcd.UUCP (09/10/83)
#R:sri-arpa:-484900:hp-kirk:5500016:000:1348
hp-kirk!daver Sep 8 13:22:00 1983
Consider another alternative:
KAL 007 is specifically instructed to fly over sensitive
Soviet territory with espionage equipment, assuming that
the USSR would either not be concerned with a civilian
airliner violating its airspace or would not risk inter-
fering with a civilian flight. The fighters intercept
the aircraft and try to get the plane to follow them to
land at a Soviet airport but the pilot, who is aware of
the espionage activities, plays chicken, assuming the
Soviets would not dare take additional action. The 747
approaches international airspace and the Russian com-
mander decides that he cannot afford to let the plane
"escape" without at least checking it out, so, when the
747 pilot refuses to obey the fighters' signals, he as-
sumes the aircraft is on a spy mission and orders it
shot down.
One question I have is why the pilot continued on his
incorrect course. Depending on the report, the pilot was
or was not in contact with Japanese ATC and was or was
not informed of his location. I would be surprised if a
trans-pacific airliner is normally totally out of radio
contact for more than two consecutive hours.
Besides, everyone knows that 007 is a spy!