Tragedy Struck On Sunday 5th May When Passenger Aircraft SUI 492 Flying From Moscow To Murmansk Was Hit By Lightning Shortly After Take-Off
- Several passengers reported that they felt the impact of the lightning strike shortly after the plane took off and Cabin Crew member Tatyana Kasatkina said that the lightning had struck around 10 minutes after take-off
The aircraft then circled the airport until landing, and is not said to have been burning on it’s final approach, only catching fire as it struck the runway for the second time, causing fuel from the tanks to spill and spread engulfing the back of the aircraft, and then onto the pavement with large plumes of black smoke coming from the back.
The Fire Crew were there instantaneously and doused the aircraft with water from the trucks.
The cabin crew sprung into action as soon as the plane had stopped, with the attendant at the rear of the aircraft trying hard but unable to open the rear exit because of the flames.
41 passengers tragically died through smoke inhalation including heroic Cabin Member Maxim Moiseev, who was at the rear of the plane and stayed at the back to guide the passengers forward to the emergency exit at the front. It is said that the flames did not enter the cabin, although the flames from outside had melted the windows.
Cabin Crew member Ms Kasatkina said she kicked open the emergency exit door, and with the shoot inflated, got people out of their seats by their collars, guiding them through the black smoke to the exits and down the shoot, with her and her colleagues managing to save 33 people. This is a miracle as it must have been extremely hot and dark in there, but there was no time for contemplation, the crew seemingly just did what they had been trained to do extremely quickly and competently.
What an absolute tragedy to lose so many people, but a miracle that under these circumstances so many people survived through the quick-thinking of the heroic cabin crew members. With the story of Maxim Moiseev the cabin member at the rear of the aircraft who guided all of the passengers forward, but perished himself, to the amazing bravery of the other cabin crew, who also expertly guided the passengers to safety, this is a combination of training, bravery and humanity at it’s very, very best….!
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Has Sent His Condolences To The Families Of The Victims.
Words by Amanda Waters