Libyan Prosecution Investigates Plane Crash at Misrata Airport, Detains Pilot and Co-pilot

The Libyan Public Prosecution announced on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into the crash of a Cessna Citation Latitude (C68A) aircraft, which veered off the runway at Misrata International Airport during its landing procedure.

In a statement, the Public Prosecution said that investigators examined the aircraft wreckage, reviewed air traffic control data and weather reports during the flight, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the plane’s landing at the airport on Tuesday.

It added that investigators interviewed technical staff responsible for managing the aircraft’s landing phase, before questioning the crew members 24 hours after the incident regarding the circumstances of the runway excursion.

The Prosecution stated that investigators confronted the pilot and his co-pilot with what it described as evidence that they were intoxicated while operating the aircraft, alongside what it considered negligence of aviation and public safety regulations, constituting, according to the Prosecution, a definite danger to their own safety and the aircraft’s safety, and a potential threat to the airport, its users, and public safety in the airspace through which the aircraft passed.

Based on preliminary investigation findings, the investigator ordered the pre-trial detention of the pilot and his co-pilot, while the Public Prosecution continues to complete the investigation into the circumstances of the incident in accordance with national rules and legislation and relevant international standards.