Jan Nettiginvestigation Underway into Smartwings Flight After Engine Malfunction
The Prague public prosecutor’s office has initiated a probe into the actions of Smartwings pilots following an engine failure during a flight this past summer.
As reported by iDNES.cz, the investigation is centered around potential charges of reckless endangerment.
The incident in question took place on August 22, 2019, when a Smartwings Boeing 737-800 unexpectedly lost power in one of its engines while flying over the Aegean Sea. Instead of making an emergency landing at the nearest available airport, the pilots chose to reduce the plane’s altitude and continue their journey to Prague for an additional two hours. The flight had 170 passengers on board.
In the aftermath of the event, Smartwings immediately refuted any claims of negligence, emphasizing that the crew maintained control of the flight and adhered to all safety protocols. However, subsequent internal investigations labeled the incident as a pilot error.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Czech Republic is also conducting its own inquiry into the matter.
