Sources Admit Humans to Blame in Iranair Downing

Defense officials acknowledged today that investigators believe human error led to the U.S. missile attack that downed an Iranian jetliner last month over the Persian Gulf. The official report will say the ship’s computerized radar and tracking equipment were apparently operating properly, the sources said.

The officials, who demanded anonymity, said the military investigators assigned were advancing the theory that crewmen aboard the missile cruiser Vincennes, under stress from their first combat action, had misinterpreted the radar data presented by the ship’s Aegis defense system.

The captain of the ship was told that the Iranian airliner was descending toward the Vincennes and flying at a relatively high rate of speed--that it had been classified as “hostile,” one official said.

Ship’s Tapes Reviewed

A review of computerized tapes taken from the Vincennes’ Combat Information Center indicates, however, that the ship’s radar system did not display data that would justify such a conclusion, the sources added.

“There were no problems with Aegis,” one official said.

The Vincennes shot down the Iranian airliner, killing all 290 aboard, while patrolling in the gulf on July 3. At the time of the incident, the cruiser had just been involved in its first combat action, successfully attacking high-speed Iranian gunboats.

“People underestimate the human factor and stress,” a second official said.

“You can’t replicate that in exercises and training. This (explanation) is very plausible.”

Discussion to Follow

The sources agreed to discuss the military investigation today following reports by the New York Times and ABC News.

The Pentagon declined comment, saying that the inquiry’s findings were still being reviewed by Gen. George Crist, head of the U.S. Central Command, and had yet to be forwarded to Washington.

Crist must decide whether he “endorses,” or accepts, the findings of his investigative team, which was led by Rear Adm. William M. Fogarty, the Pentagon noted.

President Reagan today urged caution in reaching any premature conclusions.

“I’ve read and seen and heard what is being said about the report, and assigning the blame to the people in the radar room who were interpreting the radar signals and all,” Reagan told reporters at the White House.

“I don’t think that we can consider the report final until it has been submitted. . . . I have to feel the process hasn’t been completed.”