A WEALTHY Russian couple are feared dead after a jet slammed into a mountain in Afghanistan.
The wife of millionaire entrepreneur Anatoly Evsyukov had become seriously ill on a luxury holiday in Thailand and was being flown back to Russia for treatment on the chartered aircraft.
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Russian millionaire Anatoly Evsyukov is believed to be one of the victims of the fatal airplane crash in AfghanistanCredit: East2West
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He was accompanied by his wife Anna Evsyukova, who fell ill whilst on Holiday in ThailandCredit: East2West
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The suspected site of Falcon plane crash in Afghanistan that left six deadCredit: East2West
Evsyukov had been decorated by Vladimir Putin’s regional governor for “valiant” work building the economy in Rostov region.
He accompanied his wife Anna Evsyukova on the flight after she developed a mystery infection and needed ventilator treatment.
Evsyukov chartered a medical evacuation plane to move her from a hospital in Pattaya to fly back to Moscow.
The plane left Thailand on Saturday and refuelled in India.
“Over Afghanistan, the pilots reported problems with the engines and fuel,” said Shot media in Russia.
“The plane crashed into the mountains [in Afghanistan].”
Their son Vitali, 41, was not permitted on the small executive air ambulance as only one accompanying passenger was allowed.
He flew on a scheduled flight to Moscow, learning of the horrific crash after he landed.
Another victim, Arkady Grachev, was reported to be the ex-husband of Ekaterina Agapova, the head of the company which owned the plane.
The couple shared a child and were business partners.
The Falcon 10 plane registered in Russia crashed into the mountains in Afghanistan, said reports on Sunday.
Russian state and independent media highlighted footage purporting to show the crash site.
Two Russian passengers – one male, one female – were aboard the plane, along with four crew members, it was reported.
It is feared that all six have been killed.
The aircraft is believed to have been operating as an air ambulance, it is believed.
Two of the crew were paramedics.
Those on board were named by AviaSpotter Telegram channel as Anatoly Evsyukov and Anna Evsyukova, along with the crew named as Dmitry Belyakov, Arkady Grachev, Igor Syvorotkin and Pavel Popov.
One version said the crew had alerted air traffic control that they were running low on fuel and both engines subsequently failed.
The aircraft is registered in Russia, according to the country’s Federal Air Transport Agency.
It was said to belong to ATLETIK-GRUPP LLC, based in Lyubertsy, Moscow region, and a private individual.
It crashed in the mountainous Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan.
Shot media in Russia said the plane reported a fuel problem at 7.05pm local time on Saturday and was seeking to land in Tajikistan on an unscheduled stop.
One engine failed at 7.19pm and the other ten minutes later.
The plane disappeared from radar at about 7.30pm local time, 35 miles from Kulob airport in Tajikistan.
The plane was operating a charter ambulance flight on the route Gaya (India) – Tashkent (Uzbekistan) – Zhukovsky (Moscow, Russia), according to the owning company.
The head of the firm Ekaterina Agapova said: “Nothing is known yet, now I’m trying to understand the situation and understand what happened. There is no confirmed data yet.”
The footage purportedly shows smoke rising from the site at least 12 hours after the crash, which would have been in darkness.
This has caused multiple emergency landings due to lack of spare parts and maintenance involving Western suppliers.
However it is unclear that the sanctions would have been imposed on an air ambulance.
This is reported to be the ninth incident with a Russian plane since the beginning of the year and the eighth to occur during a flight in the last nine days.
India’s civil aviation authority said that the plane crash was not a scheduled commercial flight or an Indian chartered aircraft and that “more details are awaited.”
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The Falcon 10 air ambulance jet was reportedly ‘running out of fuel’Credit: East2West
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Anatoly Evsyukov (right) with son Vitali, 41, who was not allowed on the stricken jetCredit: East2West
Stunned passengers described seeing a large section of the plane blown out mid-air with dramatic pictures of the aftermath showing a gaping hole in its side.
One passenger told Fox News affiliate KPTV that a child had to be held in his seat by his mom as people lost their phones, which were sucked out of the plane.
“That was followed instantaneously by a rapid depressurisation of the cabin that consisted of moisture and fluid – almost like a cloud rushing from the front of the plane to the back,” he told SkyNews.
The flight attendants were quick to respond, shouting “get your masks on” through the intercom system and instructing the passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
The whole catastrophic event lasted about 20-30 minutes, but felt like hours, recalled the distressed passenger.
He added: “A few people stood up on the flight and were yelling some obscenities – shouting ‘there’s an effing hole’.”
But while the plane “fluttered” and the lights “flickered”, the frightened passengers were left in the dark about the impending emergency landing.
Hoch said other people around him were “mostly calm” but the whole atmosphere on board felt “eerie”.
His hat flew off his head, while the people in front of him had their hair “pushed back”.
“When you’re in that situation there’s not really a lot you can do but hang on… there were a few people that were visibly and vocally upset,” he added.
One scared passenger revealed the text she sent to her family on board the plane after the door blew out.
Emma Vu, who escaped the incident safely along with the other passengers, shared her experience online.
“In the moment I was so scared,” she said on TikTok.
The text message sent to her family read: “The masks r down; I am so scared right now; Please pray for me; Please I don’t want to die.”
The flight had been delayed by 20 minutes, but things took a turn for the worse five minutes after take-off.
Hoch complimented the pilot who did a “good job” and addressed the flight once the plane had landed, but added that they were left “standing for hours”, unaware of their next move.
He said it felt like being a “fish out of water”, but he boarded another flight that same night – and he is set to catch a “long flight” later this week.
The Alaska Airline has issued an apology and compensation to the affected passengers, but Hoch said his luggage still remains missing.
The airline’s CEO, Ben Minicucci, said: “I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants.
“We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are travelling in the next few days.”
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for immediate inspections.
The UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator also issued a statement following the FAA’s announcement.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority wrote on X on Saturday night: “Following @FAANews’ EAD, we can confirm there are no UK-registered 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The impact on UK operated aircraft and consumers is minimal.
“We have written to non-UK and foreign permit carriers to ask inspections have been undertaken prior to operation in UK airspace.”
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One passenger showed themselves clutching an oxygen mask, describing how part of the plane ‘flew off’ just minutes into their flightCredit: TIKTOK/@strawberr.vy
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Over 170 Boeing planes have been grounded for inspection after the incidentCredit: AP
A CRAZED man was seen brawling with cops after he punched an officer before being dragged off his flight for allegedly being drunk.
The bloke was met with jeers from other passengers onboard – one of which screamed “f*** you,” as he was dumped off the plane that had descended into chaos and left kids crying.
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The moment the man unleashed an attack on the cops onboard a plane that caused a big brawlCredit: CEN
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The man is believed to be Polish born US based Peter Weinmann who was eventually taken to the ground and handcuffedCredit: CEN
Shocking footage of the scrap was released by Colombian police and shows one man being escorted through the aisle on the packed jet by security, flight attendants and two police officers.
As several other passengers turn around and glare at the man, who was allegedly drinking heavily before the flight.
The man behind the punch-up has been widely reported as US-based Polish national Peter Weinmann.
During the video people can be heard whistling and cheering as the security guide Weinmann down the aisle as many are sat filming his eviction.
One comment clearly dug deep as the enraged bloke turns around and releases a vicious tirade at another passenger saying: “F*** you. You wish you would be in the United States.”
In an attempt to diffuse the clearly escalating situation the two cops behind him order him to keep on moving to get the man off the plane.
After he refuses to move and continues to battle in a fiery war of words with the other passenger the second officer pushes his colleague in the back to barge Weinmann forwards.
Already fuming, the screaming man then reacts by letting his fists fly and thumping the cop straight in the jaw.
Pure pandemonium then kicks off onboard the busy plane as a huge brawl erupts between the bloke and the security team and cops tasked with removing him from the plane.
More punches are then thrown by the man as the cops try to grab hold of him and stop his flailing limbs from hitting anyone else.
During this outburst of attacks, his words are continuing to cause trouble as he lets off a barrage of harsh expletives.
At one point Weinmann yells “I hate you,” at the police before more and more swearing.
A child can also be heard crying in fear as the brawl happened as it’s loving mother calms her little one down by telling her in Spanish: ‘It’s okay, it’s okay.”
The chaos ended with Weinmann being wrestled to the floor and handcuffed before he was escorted off the plane for the other passengers safety.
Local reports said cops had been called because the man appeared to be in a drunk state when he boarded the plane and the pilot declared he wasn’t moving until the bloke was off his plane because of his alleged dodgy condition.
The astonishing scrap happened on board a Spirit Airline flight from the Colombian city of Barranquilla to Miami, Florida yesterday afternoon.
Passengers onboard flight 239 were made to wait for some time at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport after the man was first reported to the authorities.
Barranquilla police chief Jorge Urquijo confirmed neither of the officers assaulted suffered serious injuries.
Urquijo added: “This man will be accused of a crime of assault against public officials and handed over to court officials shortly.”
Spirit Airlines said in a statement to Daily Mail: “We do not tolerate aggressive behaviour of any kind, and this passenger is no longer welcome on any of our flights.”
The clip sees two women on the floor of the aisle of the Ryanair plane as their fellow passengers shout and scream.
One woman is seen with blood gushing from her nose as she puts the blame on two other passengers not on screen as she demands they look at her injuries.
The incident was captured on camera by passenger Sakib Ahmed during a three-hour flight to Malaga.
In the video, a fight appears to break out between four men, three of which are sitting in a row of seats as punches are thrown.
As one of the attackers can be heard saying: “I’ll slap you around” to the group while a woman replies “You’re better than this.”
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The man was allegedly drunk and was being escorted off the plane by two cops and three others before he started the brawlCredit: CEN
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Many other passengers were seen whistling, filming and celebrating when the man was being dragged away but after the attack a child was heard cryingCredit: CEN
A PILOT has appeared in court on a staggering 83 counts of attempted murder after allegedly trying to shut down a plane’s engine “while high on magic mushrooms”.
Joseph Emerson, 44, was off duty on Sunday when he allegedly carried out the dangerous stunt during a flight from Washington to San Francisco.
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Joseph Emerson appeared in court on 83 counts of attempted murderCredit: AP
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The off duty pilot allegedly attempted to shut down a plane’s engine while he was high on magic mushroomsCredit: Reuters
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He pleaded not guilty to all 83 countsCredit: Facebook
The rogue Alaska Airlines pilot allegedly attempted to shut off the engines’ fuel supply.
He appeared before court in a blue prison jumpsuit and sported a prink t-shirt underneath.
During the speedy hearing, Emerson did not personally address the court but did speak to his attorney from behind a glass partition.
He pleaded not guilty to all 83 counts of attempted murder through his lawyer.
Earlier today, Emerson was also charged in federal court for interfering with flight crew and also faces severe state charges of 83 counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment.
According to a his testimony, Emerson said “I’m not okay” before grabbing two red fire handles which would have shut down the plane’s engines.
He later told officials: “Yeah… I pulled both emergency shut off handles because I thought I was dreaming and I just wanna wake up.”
According to a federal affidavit, Emerson had allegedly become depressed around six months ago, and claimed it was his first time taking magic mushrooms.
The plane made an emergency landing in Oregon before Emerson was arrested.
In a statement from the District of Oregon Department of Justice, they said: “Emerson attempted to grab and pull two red fire handles that would have activated the plane’s emergency fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines.
“After a brief physical struggle with the pilots, Emerson exited the cockpit”.
Emerson had allegedly been speaking to the planes two pilots before he is claimed to have pulled off his crazed stunt and told them that he had been an employee there for 10 years, before throwing his headset across the cockpit.
After reaching for the two red levers, one of the pilots “wrestled” him off before declaring an in-flight emergency and telling flight attendants Emerson was “losing it”.
The two red levers were the fire suppression system which includes a T-shaped handle for each engine.
“If the T-handle is fully deployed, a valve in the wing closes to shut off fuel to the engine. In this case, the quick reaction of our crew to reset the T-handles ensured engine power was not lost,” Alaska Airlines said.
The panicked duo then turned off autopilot and changed course for Portland, according to the affidavit.
One Emerson had exited the cockpit, he was spotted “peacefully walking to the back of the aircraft” and told one flight attendant he “just got kicked out of the flight deck”.
According to the court documents, he then said: “You need to cuff me right now or it’s going to be bad.”
Flight attendants allegedly had to place restrain Emerson’s wrists and seat him in the rear of the aircraft.
He then reportedly tried to grab the handle of an emergency exit and a flight attendant stopped him by placing her hands on top of his.
One of the attendants also claimed he made statements including “I messed everything up”, and “he tried to kill everybody”.
In a recorded interview with cops, Emerson said he believed he was having a “nervous breakdown” and had not slept in 40 hours.
“I didn’t feel okay. It seemed like the pilots weren’t paying attention to what was going on. They didn’t… it didn’t seem right,” he told cops.
Emerson ultimately denied taking any medication but admitted to cops he had been using psychedelic mushrooms for the first time.
The captain allegedly told ground control at the time of the incident: “We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit.
“He doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now, and I think he’s subdued.
“Other than that, yeah, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
There were 80 passengers including children along with four crewmembers on board the plane at the time.
Aubrey Gavello, who was on board the plane, said a flight attendant told passengers that Emerson suffered a mental breakdown.
“After we did land and the gentleman was escorted off, the flight attendant got back on the speaker and said, plain and simple, ‘He had a mental breakdown. We needed to get him off the plane immediately’,” she told ABC.
Alaska Airlines released a statement at 6pm on October 23 saying: “On Oct. 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, identified as Captain Joseph Emerson, who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat.
“Captain Emerson unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines.
“The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, and the crew secured the aircraft without incident.
“Engine power was not lost despite the off-duty pilot’s attempt to shut down the engines by engaging the Engine Fire Handle, also known as the fire suppression system.
“All passengers on board were able to complete their journey with a new crew and aircraft.
“We are grateful for the patience of our guests throughout this event and are reaching out to each of them individually to discuss their experience and check-in on their well-being.
“Captain Emerson joined Alaska Air Group as a Horizon First Officer in August 2001. In June 2012, Emerson left Horizon to join Virgin America as a pilot.
“Emerson became an Alaska Airlines First Officer following Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin America in 2016.
“He became an Alaska Airlines Captain in 2019.
‘Throughout his career, Emerson completed his mandated FAA medical certifications in accordance with regulatory requirements, and at no point were his certifications denied, suspended or revoked.”
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He claimed it was his first time taking the psychedelic drugCredit: Facebook
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Emerson joined Alaska Air Group as a Horizon first officer in August 2001 and in 2012, left Horizon to join Virgin America as a pilotCredit: Facebook
