Both pilots of a brand-new private jet that crashed while landing were intoxicated, say prosecutors.
The Cessna Citation Latitude, a 2026-built aircraft, veered off the runway at Misrata International Airport in Libya before catching fire on Monday (14 September).
Libya’s Public Prosecution said investigators had found evidence indicating the pilot and co-pilot were operating the aircraft while intoxicated.
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They were questioned about the crash before being confronted with the evidence and subsequently ordered into pre-trial detention.
Prosecutors also accused the pair of neglecting aviation and general safety rules, saying their actions posed a threat to themselves, the aircraft, the airport, its users and public safety.
However, Turkey-based operator BKNJET Aviation Co. has disputed the claims, as reported by Need To Know.
In a statement, the company said: “No verified result or document indicating any such finding regarding alcohol has been received by us.”
BKNJET also said reports that the pilots had been detained did not reflect the current situation, adding that they were remaining in Libya while official questioning continued.
The prosecution did not disclose the pilots’ nationalities, although Libyan media reported that the captain was German and the co-pilot Turkish.
A female Turkish flight attendant was the only other person on board, with all three crew members surviving the crash.
The aircraft had departed Istanbul Atatürk Airport without passengers and was travelling to Misrata to pick up VIP passengers.
Investigators examined the wreckage, air traffic control data, weather reports and conditions at the time of landing, while also taking evidence from technical staff involved in managing the landing.
Photos circulated online showed much of the aircraft had been destroyed by fire after it left the runway.
Flights at Misrata International Airport were temporarily suspended following the crash.
The Public Prosecution said the investigation was continuing.
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