The pilot of an airplane that crash-landed and resulted in a deadly inferno has been charged with negligence over the deaths of 41 passengers, per the Metro.
As part of the criminal investigation into the tragic incident, upsetting footage has emerged of passengers swiftly escaping the burning aircraft after it crash-landed when it was struck by lightning.
There were 37 survivors in the crash at Sheremetyevo, Moscow’s business international airport. One of the survivors was 42-year-old captain Denis Evdokimov, who maintains he is being made a scapegoat for the accident which occurred on May 5, 2019.
The plane was heading back to the Moscow airport after it was struck by lightning, however, it made a "jumping" emergency landing resulting in a disastrous crash.
The jet slid along the runway with the back of the plane engulfed in flames. The first emergency slide was in action 17 seconds after the plane came to a halt and the second was deployed after 30 seconds.
The Russian Investigative Committee said in a statement per the Metro: "Investigators and experts studied the data of the flight recorders of the crashed aircraft, according to which during the flight the aircraft adequately responded to the pilot’s control actions."
Natalya Mitusova, Captain Evdokimov’s lawyer claims that he is being used as a scapegoat to protect the image of Superjet, a Russian plane that has been in called into question over safety concerns.
Mitusova contends that staff did not follow his orders, but prosecutors are saying he mishandled the landing by manoeuvering the jet at an overly steep angle. The landing gear pierced the fuel tank, which ultimately led to the deadly explosion. Most of the deceased were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Evdokimov claims that his commands were violated when a rear plane door was opened which led to fires on the outside of the Superjet engulfing the passenger cabin. Most of the victims who died were seated in the rear or middle section of the plane. Had the rear emergency door not been opened, the pilot claims the passengers would have had time to leave the cabin.
"Someone from the crew or passengers opened the door, after which the fire entered the cabin," said Mitusova.
Evdokimov’s lawyers also claim ground rescue services took long to arrive at the scene. Prosecutors are seeking a maximum seven-year jail sentence for Evdokimov.
Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman for the Russian Investigative Committee, said: "Actions by Evdokimov violated the existing regulations and led to the destruction and outbreak of fire. ‘As a result, 40 passengers and one crew member were killed, and (10) others were badly injured."
