5 fatalities

Fatal Aircraft Accident Near Rajince, Serbia (4W-ABI)

Rajince, SerbiaFlight

On September 16, 1971, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 4W-ABI) operated by Yemen Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Rajince, Serbia in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed the accident was the consequence of a loss of control caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed in a wooded mountainous area near Rajince, Serbia, after striking treetops in poor weather. All five occupants were killed. The probable cause was a loss of control due to excessive ice accumulation.

Incident Overview and Location Information indicates that an aircraft operating in poor weather conditions encountered a fatal accident near Rajince, in southern Serbia. During cruise, the airplane struck treetops and subsequently crashed in a wooded and mountainous terrain. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft, and all five people on board were killed. No specific details regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, or operator are provided in the official source material. ## Probable Cause and Contributing Factors According to the official findings, the accident is believed to have been the consequence of a loss of control. This loss of control was attributed to an excessive accumulation of ice on the aircraft, which likely compromised its handling and aerodynamic performance during the flight in adverse weather conditions.