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8 fatalities

Yugoslav Prime Minister Dies in Plane Crash Near Kreševo (YU-BJH)

Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 18, 1977, a Learjet 25 (registration YU-BJH) operated by Yugoslav Government was involved in an aviation accident near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina during landing or approach. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain caused by several errors on part of the crew, among them the following: - The last turn was completed 2.7 NM further than prescribed, - The airplane was approaching at an insufficient… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

On an official flight from Batajnica to Sarajevo, a Yugoslav government aircraft carrying Prime Minister Džemal Bijedić and seven others struck Mount Inač after a wrong approach in poor weather, killing all aboard.

Accident Details

The aircraft, operating under callsign YU001, departed Batajnica Airbase bound for Sarajevo-Butmir Airport. On board were Yugoslav Prime Minister Džemal Bijedić, his wife Razija, and several members of his cabinet. During descent, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and executed a wrong approach configuration.

Impact and Destruction

The airplane struck the slope of Mount Inač, which has an elevation of 1,366 metres, near the village of Kreševo. The impact point was approximately 30 km northwest of the intended airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and all eight occupants were killed.

Official Findings

The accident was determined to be a controlled flight into terrain. Investigators attributed the crash to several crew errors: the last turn was completed 2.7 nautical miles further than prescribed; the airplane was approaching at an altitude insufficient to clear the terrain; its speed exceeded the prescribed limit by 37 knots at impact; and visibility was limited due to poor weather conditions.

Probable cause

The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain caused by several errors on part of the crew, among them the following: - The last turn was completed 2.7 NM further than prescribed, - The airplane was approaching at an insufficient altitude to clear terrain, - Its speed was in excess of 37 knots at impact, - Lack of visibility caused by poor weather.
Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jan 1977 Learjet 25 accident near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina?

On an official flight from Batajnica to Sarajevo, a Yugoslav government aircraft carrying Prime Minister Džemal Bijedić and seven others struck Mount Inač after a wrong approach in poor weather, killing all aboard.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Jan 1977 Learjet 25 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jan 1977 involved a Learjet 25, registration YU-BJH, operated by Yugoslav Government, at Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain caused by several errors on part of the crew, among them the following: - The last turn was completed 2.7 NM further than prescribed, - The airplane was approaching at an insufficient altitude to clear terrain, - Its speed was in excess of 37 knots…

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