Tragic Crash of Embraer Legacy 600 Jet Leaves Wagner Mercenary Chief Dead
August 23 (Reuters) – In a shocking turn of events, an Embraer Legacy 600 executive jet crashed on Wednesday, resulting in the death of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Flight-tracking data reveals that the aircraft showed no signs of trouble until its final moments when it experienced a sudden and drastic drop.
The Russian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, confirmed that Prigozhin, who led an aborted mutiny in June, was among the 10 people aboard the ill-fated plane. The aircraft was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg when it crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver Region, according to Russia’s emergency situations ministry.
According to Ian Petchenik of Flightradar24, at 3:19 p.m. GMT, the aircraft experienced a “sudden downward vertical” descent. Within just 30 seconds, the plane plummeted more than 8,000 feet from its cruising altitude of 28,000 feet. Petchenik added, “Whatever happened, happened quickly.”
Eyewitness video footage captured the moment the plane descended rapidly with its nose pointing almost straight downward, leaving a trail of smoke or vapor behind it.
Russian investigators have launched a criminal probe to determine the cause of the crash. While some unnamed sources speculate that the plane may have been shot down by surface-to-air missiles, Reuters has been unable to confirm this information.
Embraer SA, the Brazilian planemaker, stated that it had not provided any recent service or support to the plane, which typically seats around 13 passengers. The company also emphasized its compliance with international sanctions against Russia. The luxury jet involved in the crash, with registration number RA-02795, was the same plane that transported Prigozhin to Belarus after the mutiny.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates that the last recorded position of the aircraft was at 3:11 p.m. GMT, shortly before the crash. Possible jamming or interference in the area may have hindered the collection of further location data.
In the final nine minutes of available data, the jet went through a series of short ascents and descents before its disastrous plunge. Flightradar24 received the last piece of information about the jet at 3:20 p.m.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the international community, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash and the potential involvement of external factors. As investigations continue, authorities and aviation experts strive to uncover the truth behind this devastating event.
Reporting by Valerie Insinna in Washington, Allison Lampert in Montreal, Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo, and Caroline Pulice in Mexico City; Editing by Cynthia Osterman