Russia Sidelines Embraer in Prigozhin’s Legacy 600 Crash Inquiry

Russia communicated its decision not to investigate the crash of the Brazilian Embraer Legacy 600 jet, which resulted in the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, under international regulations.

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, along with two top lieutenants of Wagner Group and four bodyguards, were among the 10 casualties when an Embraer Legacy 600 jet went down north of Moscow. This incident occurred two months post Prigozhin’s brief revolt against the Russian defense establishment, marking the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin since 1999.

International Investigation Declined

According to Reuters, Brazil’s Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) expressed willingness to collaborate on a Russia-led probe if conducted under international standards. It is customary to include the aircraft state of manufacturer as a part of the investigation, as it may have a special interest on the outcome of the probe.

However, Russia’s aviation authority is not mandated to involve CENIPA, and suspicions arise due to Western government concerns over potential Kremlin involvement in the crash. Kremlin, however, denies any role in the refusal to extend an invitation.

Global Implications

The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) clarifies the flight as domestic, making it exempt from international «Annex 13» rules. Despite the exemption, transparency concerns persist regarding Russia’s choice to exclude Brazil, the manufacturing nation of the aircraft.

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Manufacturer’s Stake

With 802 Embraer regional jets in service built on the Legacy 600’s platform, the importance of the investigation is highlighted for Brazil. However, Reuters report that Embraer refrained from commenting on the issue.

The Legacy 600 began its service in 2002, with nearly 300 units manufactured before production halted in 2020. Before this crash, the variant had only one documented accident: in 2006, a brand-new N600XL collided mid-air with a Gol Boeing 737-800 while en route from Embraer’s Brazilian factory to the US.

While Annex 13 rules have promoted global technical collaboration and significantly boosted air safety, Russia’s choice to decline international cooperation may indicate a less transparent investigation.