Private jet crash goes from bad to worse as investigators allege both pilots were intoxicated

The investigation into the private jet crash at Misrata International Airport has taken a serious turn as prosecutors allege that both pilots were intoxicated during the landing. This incident occurred when the Cessna Citation Latitude veered off the runway and erupted into a massive fireball. While no injuries were reported, the details emerging from the scene are concerning for anyone who follows aviation safety.

As reported by The Sun, the aircraft had departed from Istanbul Atatürk Airport with a flight crew of three, including the two pilots and one female flight attendant. They were operating the flight without any passengers on board, as the primary mission was to travel to Libya to pick up a group of VIP passengers. 

The journey from Turkey ended in disaster when the plane swerved off the tarmac during its arrival at the Libyan airport. Images from the scene showed emergency crews working hard to extinguish the flames, which consumed the private jet after it left the runway.

Both pilots are now being questioned 

Prosecutors have now taken the step of ordering both pilots into pre-trial detention. They are facing formal accusations of neglecting aviation protocols and failing to uphold general safety standards. These charges are incredibly heavy, as they involve the safety of the aircraft, the infrastructure at the airport, and the well-being of the public. 

Authorities have been busy collecting evidence to build their case, which includes analyzing the wreckage, reviewing air traffic control logs, checking weather reports, and interviewing technical staff who were on duty during the landing. There is also a significant dispute regarding the narrative provided by the local prosecution.

The Turkey-based operator of the jet, BKNJET Aviation Co., has pushed back against these allegations of intoxication. The company stated, “No verified result or document indicating any such finding regarding alcohol has been received by us.” 

Furthermore, BKNJET maintains that the reports of the pilots being arrested are not accurate. Instead, the company claims the two crew members are simply being questioned by the relevant authorities. 

The identities of the crew have not been officially confirmed by the prosecution, though reports from local media outlets suggest that the captain is of German nationality and the co-pilot is Turkish. That said, the investigation continues as authorities piece together the final moments before the crash. Everyone involved, from the crew to the technical staff at Misrata International Airport, is under the microscope.