Incident Overview
While descending to Belgrade-Surcin Airport, the flight crew encountered poor weather conditions. On final approach, air traffic control (ATC) informed the pilot that his altitude was insufficient and that he was approaching below the glide path.
Accident Details
In foggy conditions, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area on the slope of Mt Avala, which rises 520 meters in elevation. The crash site was located approximately 20 kilometers from the threshold of Runway 30 and about 35 meters below the summit of the mountain.
Occupant Fatalities
All 33 occupants on board were killed. Among the victims were Marshall Sergei S. Biryuzov and General Vladimir I. Zhdanov, accompanied by 15 World War II veterans. The group was flying to Belgrade to participate in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the offensive of the city of Belgrade by the Soviet Army on 20 October 1944.
Aftermath
Following the accident, all planned celebrations were cancelled.
Probable Cause
The official findings stated that the crew continued the approach at an insufficient altitude, maybe due to an altimeter misreading or malfunction. At the time of the accident, visibility was reduced due to fog, and weather conditions were poor because of rain and crosswinds up to 25 knots.