Narrative:
An Ilyushin Il-18E, operating on a flight for Bulair, collided with terrain near Karnobat, Bulgaria. Of the 89 persons on board, 47 were killed.
The aircraft operated on a flight from Dresden to Bourgas. The flight encountered poor weather conditions with extensive thunderstorms, brief showers and low clouds. During the flight the aircraft deviated from the airway and approved flight levels, apparently to avoid these thunderstorms.
After passing the RUS NDB at 19:18 hours at a 5400m a continuous descent was made, passing over the TRG VOR at 19:24 hours to proceed to Lyulyakovo descending to 2400m. However the aircraft descended to 1300m. After passing Lyulyakovo at 19:30 hours the flight was conducted below clouds with the cloud base lowering. At about 19:35 hours, the aircraft was observed over the northern suburbs of Karnobet flying at a height of 50-150 m. Shortly thereafter it collided wish the ground.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Deviation from the prescribed flight rules in an effort to accomplish a visual approach in adverse weather conditions.
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
| Status: | |
| Date: | Tuesday 3 September 1968 |
| Time: | 19:35 |
| Type: |  Ilyushin Il-18E |
| Operating for: | Bulair |
| Leased from: | TABSO |
| Registration: | LZ-BEG |
| MSN: | 186009101 |
| First flight: | 1966 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3374 |
| Cycles: | 1604 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 42 / Occupants: 82 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 47 / Occupants: 89 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Karnobat ( Bulgaria)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Int'l Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Dresden Airport (DRS/EDDC), Germany |
| Bourgas Airport (BOJ/LBBG), Bulgaria |
An Ilyushin Il-18E, operating on a flight for Bulair, collided with terrain near Karnobat, Bulgaria. Of the 89 persons on board, 47 were killed.
The aircraft operated on a flight from Dresden to Bourgas. The flight encountered poor weather conditions with extensive thunderstorms, brief showers and low clouds. During the flight the aircraft deviated from the airway and approved flight levels, apparently to avoid these thunderstorms.
After passing the RUS NDB at 19:18 hours at a 5400m a continuous descent was made, passing over the TRG VOR at 19:24 hours to proceed to Lyulyakovo descending to 2400m. However the aircraft descended to 1300m. After passing Lyulyakovo at 19:30 hours the flight was conducted below clouds with the cloud base lowering. At about 19:35 hours, the aircraft was observed over the northern suburbs of Karnobet flying at a height of 50-150 m. Shortly thereafter it collided wish the ground.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: Deviation from the prescribed flight rules in an effort to accomplish a visual approach in adverse weather conditions.
Classification:
VFR flight in IMC Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» Soviet TransportsPhotos
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 Dresden Airport to Bourgas Airport as the crow flies is 1400 km (875 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Dresden Airport to Bourgas Airport as the crow flies is 1400 km (875 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.
languages: 
Bulgaria
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Ilyushin Il-18
- 569 built
- 39th loss
- 24th fatal accident
- 10th worst accident (at the time)
- 22nd worst accident (currently)
Bulgaria- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 4th worst accident (currently)
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