Aircraft Crash Near Avlona After Departure from Athens-Ellinikon (SX-BAD)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The aircraft departed Athens-Ellinikon Airport at 1501LT, bound for Tessaloniki. The crew climbed to 3,000 feet on a 240° heading and later received permission to climb to 9,000 feet. While approaching Mt Parnis in good weather, the captain reported his position to air traffic control. Five minutes later, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens and crashed near Avlona. The aircraft was totally destroyed on impact, and all 19 occupants were killed. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation found that the accident was caused by the failure of the gudgeon pin bearing of no. 6 piston of the left engine, which resulted in the abrupt breaking of the engine. The inertia of the propeller at the moment of engine failure caused the propeller shaft to fail. The broken propeller, while rotating, caused serious cuts to the left wing. The wing then separated, and loss of control followed.