Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 22 November 1975
Aircraft Type: Antonov An-24V
Owner/operator: Balkan Bulgarian Airlines
Registration Number: LZ-ANA
Location: Sofia-Vrazhdebna Airport (SOF) –
ÿ Bulgaria
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 45
Component Affected: Antonov 24 aircraftAntonov 24 aircraft
Category: Accident
A significant snowfall at Sofia Airport, Bulgaria, delayed an Antonov 24 flight to Varna. The aircraft was de-iced and taxied towards runway 10 for departure. However, the runway was closed for snow removal, preventing takeoff. Upon runway clearing, the crew was cleared for takeoff, but the holdover time for de-icing elapsed. Consequently, takeoff was initiated without de-icing, leading to a descent into a ravine of the Iskar River, resulting in the aircraft’s loss of altitude and the deaths of the co-pilot and two passengers.A significant snowfall at Sofia Airport, Bulgaria, delayed an Antonov 24 flight to Varna. The aircraft was de-iced and taxied towards runway 10 for departure. However, the runway was closed for snow removal, preventing takeoff. Upon runway clearing, the crew was cleared for takeoff, but the holdover time for de-icing elapsed. Consequently, takeoff was initiated without de-icing, leading to a descent into a ravine of the Iskar River, resulting in the aircraft’s loss of altitude and the deaths of the co-pilot and two passengers.
Description
There was heavy snowfall at Sofia Airport, Bulgaria as an Antonov 24 was preparing for the evening flight to Varna (VAR). The airplane was de-iced and taxied towards runway 10 for departure. However, the runway was closed for snow removal. When the runway had been cleared, the crew were cleared for takeoff. However, the holdover time for de-icing had passed. Takeoff was commenced without de-icing. The An-24 failed to gain height on takeoff and came down in a ravine of the Iskar River. There was no fire. The co-pilot was killed and two passengers drowned in the water.
Source of Information
https://www.airhistory.net/info/soviet.phphttps://www.airhistory.net/info/soviet.phpPrimary Cause
Runway closure due to snow removal prevented takeoff.Runway closure due to snow removal prevented takeoff.Share on:
