Narrative: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.
Classification:
Icing
Loss of control
Sources:
» Flight International 27 November 75(778)
»
Soviet Transports
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Sofia-Vrazhdebna Airport to Varna Airport as the crow flies is 362 km (226 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.