Former Pilot of Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet Sentenced to Prison After Moscow Crash

In a recent development, the pilot of the ill-fated Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet, involved in a tragic crash near Moscow resulting in 41 fatalities, has been sentenced to six years in prison. The incident, which occurred in 2019, saw Denis Evdokimov, the captain of the flight, attempting an emergency landing at Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) following an in-flight lightning strike. Unfortunately, the Russian-made aircraft crashed and burst into flames during the landing attempt, leading to the devastating loss of 40 passengers and one crew member.

The investigation, conducted by the Investigative Committee of Russia (ICR), attributed the disaster to the captain’s actions, which were found to be in violation of established aviation rules. The report by Interfax from December 2019 quoted the ICR stating that “actions by Evdokimov to control the aircraft, committed in violation of the established rules, led to the destruction and fire of the aircraft, resulting in the death of 40 passengers and one crew member.”

Throughout the trial, Evdokimov maintained his innocence, with his lawyer, Natalia Mitusova, expressing concerns about the preliminary investigation’s impartiality. Mitusova argued that the captain was accused based on examinations carried out in the case, which failed to ascertain whether the aircraft was fully operational at the time of the incident.

The crash not only claimed lives but also caused extensive damage amounting to more than 1 billion 570 million rubles ($17.7 million) to the owner, VEB-Leasing Joint-Stock Company, as confirmed by Russian authorities and reported by Interfax.

In light of Russia’s aerospace industry facing sanctions due to the Ukrainian invasion, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) made a significant decision in March 2023. The UAC announced its intention to exit the Superjet program, selling its shares in SuperJet International to Mark AB Capital, an investment firm based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following this development, SuperJet International, known for marketing the Superjet to international markets, revealed its plans to establish a manufacturing facility in the UAE in June 2023.

These events mark a critical turning point in the aftermath of the tragic crash, bringing attention to aviation safety and raising questions about the future of the Superjet program.