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47 fatalities

Four-Engine Charter Aircraft Crashes While Descending to Burgas (LZ-BEG)

Burgas, BulgariaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 3, 1968, an Ilyushin II-18 (registration LZ-BEG) operated by Transportno Aviatsionno Bulgaro-Savetsko Obedinenie - TABSO was involved in an aviation accident near Burgas, Bulgaria during landing or approach. 47 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew apparently took the decision to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions. In violation to the published procedures, the crew descended below the glide and continued the final approach at an insufficient altitude, causing the aircraft to… 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine charter aircraft crashed while descending to Burgas in poor weather, killing 47 people and injuring 39. The official investigation found the crew continued a final approach at an insufficient altitude in IMC conditions.

Incident Overview and Route Details A four-engine aircraft was operating a charter flight from Berlin to Burgas, with an intermediate stop in Sofia. The aircraft was carrying 80 East-German tourists traveling to Burgas, a destination on the Black Sea coast. ## Weather Conditions and Crash Sequence During descent to Burgas, the crew encountered poor weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, and thunderstorm activity. On final approach, the aircraft was too low, struck obstacles, and crashed in flames a few hundred meters short of the runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed. ## Casualties The accident resulted in the deaths of five crew members and 42 passengers. An additional 39 occupants were injured. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation concluded that the crew apparently decided to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions. In violation of published procedures, the crew descended below the glide path and continued the final approach at an insufficient altitude, causing the aircraft to strike obstacles and crash.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Sept 1968 Ilyushin II-18 accident near Burgas, Bulgaria?

A four-engine charter aircraft crashed while descending to Burgas in poor weather, killing 47 people and injuring 39. The official investigation found the crew continued a final approach at an insufficient altitude in IMC conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Sept 1968 Ilyushin II-18 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 47 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Sept 1968 involved an Ilyushin II-18, registration LZ-BEG, operated by Transportno Aviatsionno Bulgaro-Savetsko Obedinenie - TABSO, at Burgas, Bulgaria.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew apparently took the decision to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions. In violation to the published procedures, the crew descended below the glide and continued the final approach at an insufficient altitude, causing the aircraft to struck obstacles and to crash.

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