The legal case against the pilots of a passenger plane that veered off the runway at Trabzon Airport seven years ago has been dismissed after all complainants withdrew their complaints.
Details of the Accident
On January 13, 2018, a Pegasus Airlines Boeing 737-800, named “Zeynep,” skidded off the runway while landing in Trabzon during its Ankara-Trabzon flight. The aircraft ended up on a slope near the sea, halting just 25 meters from the water. Its landing gear was found embedded in the mud. All 162 passengers and six crew members on board were promptly evacuated thanks to the swift response of emergency teams.
Flight operations at Trabzon Airport were temporarily suspended, and recovery efforts involved a team of 100 personnel using 500-ton and 350-ton cranes over a 20-hour period. Once the aircraft was moved to a secure location, it was deemed unfit to fly again. The plane was subsequently scrapped and allocated to the Yomra Municipality, where it was converted into a restaurant. It now serves as a pide (Turkish flatbread) restaurant along the Yomra coastline.
Legal Proceedings Against Pilots
The Trabzon Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation into the accident, and charges were filed against the pilots, E.B. (68) and I.Y. (52), for “negligently causing the injury of multiple individuals.” The charges carried a potential sentence of up to three years in prison. Statements from cabin crew and passengers were also included in the case file.
Outcome of the Case
With all complainants withdrawing their claims, the trial was dropped, and the court decided that no penalties were warranted for the pilots. This brought the case to a close.
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