Captain of A321 plane that landed on corn field returns to flying, second pilot remains on sick leave
YEKATERINBURG. Sept 23 (Interfax) - Damir Yusupov, the captain of the Airbus A321 Urals Airlines who landed a plane on a corn field in the Moscow region on August 15 has gone back to work, the airline press service told Interfax.
"Damir Yusupov went back to work after passing all necessary medical examinations and formalities. He has begun flights this week," the source said.
Georgy Murzin, the second pilot, remains on sick leave, the press service said.
According to earlier reports, Murzin sustained chest bruises during the emergency landing. He did not need hospitalization.
The Airbus A321 airliner, en route from Moscow to Simferopol, made an emergency landing near the village of Rybaki in the Ramenki city district of the Moscow region immediately after takeoff on the morning of August 15.
The plane landed on a corn field with its engines off and its landing gear up. The plane was carrying 226 passengers and seven crewmembers. No one was killed, but several dozens of people were hurt.
The accident is believed to have been caused by birds getting into both engines. The plane was damaged beyond repair.
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Hero of Russia titles to the pilots. The other crewmembers were decorated with state awards.