The case of the Utair plane crash in Tyumen will be considered by a French court

11

01.18

The Court of Appeal in Toulouse has ruled that a compensation claim over the crash of an ATR-72 aircraft near Tyumen, Russia, can be heard in France.

The lawsuit was filed by the families of those who died or were injured in the crash. This is the first time a case involving a domestic Russian flight will be heard by a foreign court.

The Cause of the Crash

The crash took place during a domestic flight near Tyumen.

An investigation revealed that the ATR-72 had design flaws in its wing de-icing system. These flaws may have affected the aircraft’s safety.

Because of this, the victims’ families were able to file a claim against the aircraft’s manufacturer — ATR, a Franco-Italian aerospace company.

Families Rejected UTair’s Compensation Offer

The airline UTair offered compensation to the victims’ families.

However, 13 families rejected the offer. They decided to file a lawsuit in France, where ATR’s head office is located.

The lawsuit names both ATR and UTair as defendants.

DTK Partners Represents the Victims

The international law firm DTK Partners is representing the families in this case.

DTK Partners is working together with French and American lawyers. The team is handling all legal aspects of the case.

Their support includes:

  • preparing legal documents;

  • coordinating efforts across different countries;

  • communicating with courts and experts;

  • using international and aviation law to protect their clients.

French Courts Spent Three Years on Jurisdiction

French courts spent three years deciding whether they had the right to hear the case.

At first, the lower court rejected the claim. But later, the Toulouse Court of Appeal overturned that decision. It confirmed that the case can move forward in France.

This cleared the way for a full legal hearing.

Families May Receive Higher Compensation

Now, the families have a chance to receive higher compensation than they could expect in a Russian court.

This case is legally significant. It shows that victims of aviation accidents on domestic flights can bring their claims to international courts — if the legal grounds are strong.