Fatal Calibration Flight Crash Near Baia Mare Airport (YR-BMK)

Incident Overview and Mission Details The aircraft, operated by the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority (Autoritatea Aeronautică Civilă Romănă), departed Bucharest-Băneasa Airport on a calibration flight to Satu Mare and Baia Mare Airports. The flight carried five passengers and three crew members. The objective of the operation was to calibrate the precision approach radar and the IFR equipment at both Satu Mare and Baia Mare Airports. ## Flight Progression and Crash Sequence The mission at Satu Mare was completed successfully, and the crew continued to Baia Mare Airport, located about 43 km to the east. Following three successful approaches, the crew initiated a fourth descent. During this phase, the crew was informed by air traffic control about deteriorating weather conditions, including snowfall and reduced visibility to 3 km. On approach, the crew failed to realize the aircraft's altitude was too low. The aircraft struck trees and crashed onto a house located about 7.5 km short of runway 28. ## Casualties and Damage The aircraft and the house were destroyed. All eight occupants of the aircraft were killed, as well as two people in the house. A third person on the ground was injured.