Bulgaria’s MoD: Pilots of crashed aircraft took unreasonably high risk

An investigation by the Ministry of Defence into the September 13 fatal crash of an L-39 combat trainer aircraft has found that there was no problem with the aircraft but the pilots took an unreasonably high risk, a news conference was told on October 15.

The crash happened as the pilots were rehearsing for an air show, which subsequently was cancelled because of their deaths.

Soon after the crash, the ministry announced that pilots Major Petko Dimitrov, 51, and Lieutenant Ventsislav, 28, has been posthumously promoted.

The aircraft’s black box was sent for analysis to Czechia’, the country where the L-39 was manufactured.

Colonel Petko Vassilev, of the military police’s aviation accident investigation unit, told the news conference that there had been no problem with the aviation equipment and the aircraft in general.

The main reason for the crash was the taking of an unreasonably high risk when performing elements of the complex aerobatics.

Before the crash, the plots had undergone routine medical examinations and had been classified fit for duty as pilots, Vassilev said.

He said that the ministry was stating the causes of the accident and it was the responsibility of the Prosecutor’s Office to say whether blame should be apportioned to anyone.

Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said that the ministry’s investigation was independent of the court and pre-trial proceedings and its purpose was to establish the cause and prevent recurrence.

“We cannot afford to lose more people. We strive to clarify the circumstances and causes of this incident, so that similar ones are not allowed in the future,” Zapryanov said.

“Once all the information becomes clear, then we will make personnel decisions,” he said

“I will announce my decisions very soon. Be assured that those who do not serve according to the rules and do not follow the statutes, and cannot bear the burden of the office, will not continue in these positions of responsibility. This will happen when there is complete clarity on the inspection in the Air Force,” Zapryanov said.

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