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20 fatalities

CASA C-295M Crash at Mirosławiec Air Base (019)

Mirosławiec, PolandLanding (descent or approach)

On January 23, 2008, a Casa C-295M (registration 019) operated by Polish Air Force - Polska Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej was involved in an aviation accident near Mirosławiec, Poland during landing or approach. 20 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inadvertent loss of spatial and situational awareness by the aircraft crew during final stages of PAR approach, resulting in unmonitored bank increase and altitude loss while attempting to establish visual contact with the runway and approach lights. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A CASA C-295M crashed into trees 1,300 m short of the runway at Mirosławiec AB during a night PAR approach in poor weather, killing all 20 occupants.

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The aircraft departed Warsaw at 1651LT for Krakow, with intermediate stops at Powidz, Poznań-Krzesiny, Mirosławiec, and Świdwin. It carried 36 passengers and a crew of four, returning to base after the 50th Annual Aviation Safety Conference in Warsaw. Nine passengers deplaned at Powidz and 11 at Poznań-Krzesiny AFB, leaving 20 occupants on board for the Mirosławiec leg. On approach to Mirosławiec at night, the crew encountered poor weather: ceiling 300 ft, visibility 2 statute miles, and mist. On short final, the aircraft was unstable, descending at 6,000 ft/min and 148 knots. It struck trees and crashed in a wooded area 1,300 metres short of the runway threshold, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 20 occupants were killed. The crew consisted of Maj Jarosław Haładus, Adj Robert Kuźma, Adj Michał Smyczyński, and Sgt Janusz Adamczyk. Passengers included Gen Brig Andrzej Andrzejewski, Col Dariusz Maciąg, Col Jerzy Piłat, Lt Col Wojciech Maniewski, Lt Col Zbigniew Książek, Lt Col Dariusz Pawlak, Lt Col Zdzisław Cieślik, Maj Robert Maj, Maj Mirosław Wilczyński, Maj Grzegorz Jułga, Maj Piotr Firlingier, Maj Krzysztof Smołucha, Cpt Karol Szmigiel, Cpt Paweł Zdunek, Cpt Leszek Ziemski, and Cpt Grzegorz Stepaniuk.

Probable cause

Inadvertent loss of spatial and situational awareness by the aircraft crew during final stages of PAR approach, resulting in unmonitored bank increase and altitude loss while attempting to establish visual contact with the runway and approach lights.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Jan 2008 Casa C-295M accident near Mirosławiec, Poland?

A CASA C-295M crashed into trees 1,300 m short of the runway at Mirosławiec AB during a night PAR approach in poor weather, killing all 20 occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Jan 2008 Casa C-295M accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 20 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Jan 2008 involved a Casa C-295M, registration 019, operated by Polish Air Force - Polska Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej, at Mirosławiec, Poland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Inadvertent loss of spatial and situational awareness by the aircraft crew during final stages of PAR approach, resulting in unmonitored bank increase and altitude loss while attempting to establish visual contact with the runway and approach lights.

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