Incident Overview
Date: Monday 7 March 1983
Aircraft Type: Antonov An-24V
Owner/operator: Balkan Bulgarian Airlines
Registration Number: LZ-AND
Location: Varna Airport (VAR) –
ÿ Bulgaria
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Flight path and navigation system of the aircraft.Flight path and navigation system of the aircraft.
Category: Unlawful Interference
A group of hijackers demanded to fly to Austria, but the pilot deceived them by flying over the Black Sea in circles and landing at the partially darkened Varna Airport, Bulgaria, resulting in the death of one passenger and the arrest of the other three. The incident involved a security personnel shooting at the hijackers.A group of hijackers demanded to fly to Austria, but the pilot deceived them by flying over the Black Sea in circles and landing at the partially darkened Varna Airport, Bulgaria, resulting in the death of one passenger and the arrest of the other three. The incident involved a security personnel shooting at the hijackers.
Description
Four hijackers armed with knives demanded to go to Austria, however, the pilot tricked them into believing the plane was landing in Austria by flying over the Black Sea in circles and landing at the partially darkened Varna Airport, Bulgaria after sunset. One of the hijackers was reportedly killed by on board security personnel when he threatened a stewardess with a knife. The other three hijackers were arrested by the security personnel.
Primary Cause
Pilot deception and manipulation of flight path.Pilot deception and manipulation of flight path.Share on:
