Investigation Summary
The aircraft, registration LZ-BES, was scheduled for a charter flight to Algiers. It had recently returned to service following a period of significant maintenance work. As the aircraft began its takeoff roll and attempted to rotate, the flight crew encountered immediate control difficulties. Because the elevator control cables had been crossed during the maintenance process, the pilot's inputs resulted in the opposite of the intended pitch movement. This control reversal made the aircraft unflyable at a critical phase of flight, leading to a crash on the airport grounds. The accident is notable in Bulgarian history for the loss of several prominent cultural figures, most notably singer Pasha Hristova. While some sources suggest a higher death toll, official records and aviation databases confirm 28 fatalities among the 73 people on board, meaning there were 45 survivors, including the captain.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a maintenance error where the elevator control cables were incorrectly connected (crossed). This resulted in a reversal of the pitch controls, leading to a loss of control during the takeoff phase. The error occurred during extensive maintenance performed shortly before the accident flight.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Elevator Control System
The mechanical linkage between the cockpit yokes and the rear elevator surfaces. In this accident, the cables were crossed, meaning a pull-back motion intended to climb resulted in a nose-down pitch.
Interesting Facts
- 01The elevator controls were reportedly crossed during maintenance, causing a control reversal.
- 02The aircraft was an Ilyushin Il-18V manufactured in 1965.
- 03Prominent Bulgarian singer Pasha Hristova was among those killed in the crash.
- 04The flight was carrying the Sofia Orchestra to festivities in Algeria.
- 05The aircraft was written off and destroyed by the crash and subsequent fire.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Maintenance Procedure Review
Following the investigation, maintenance protocols for flight control systems were tightened to include mandatory independent inspections and functional checks of control surface movement direction after any cable replacement or adjustment.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the airport reference point.