On July 22, 1938, a Lockheed 14 Super Electra (registration SP-BNG) operated by LOT Polish Airlines - Polskie Linie Lotnicze was involved in an aviation accident near Gӑinești, Romania in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Lightning struck the aircraft in flight, with strong turbulence acting as a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a wooded area near Găinești, Romania, after encountering severe weather shortly after departing Chernivtsi, resulting in the deaths of all 14 occupants on board.
What happened
The incident occurred less than thirty minutes after the aircraft departed from Chernivtsi Airport. While cruising over the Suceava region in northern Romania, the crew encountered severe weather conditions. The twin-engine airplane subsequently entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground in a hilly, wooded area near the village of Găinești, located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Suceava. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All 14 occupants were killed in the accident.
Findings
The investigation board concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a lightning strike on the aircraft during flight. Strong turbulence was identified as a significant contributory factor to the event.
Probable cause
Lightning struck the aircraft in flight, with strong turbulence acting as a contributing factor.