Lockheed 14 Super Electra accident at Gӑinești, Romania, 22 Jul 1938 (SP-BNG)
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: It is the opinion of the Board that the accident was caused by lightning which struck the aircraft in flight. Strong turbulences should be a contributory 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.
Probable cause
It is the opinion of the Board that the accident was caused by lightning which struck the aircraft in flight. Strong turbulences should be a contributory factor.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Less than 30 minutes after its departure from Chernivtsi Airport, while cruising over the region of Suceava, north part of Romania, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions. The twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent, dove into the ground and crashed in a hilly and wooded area located near the village of Gӑinești, some 35 km southwest of Suceava. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed, among them the Romanian composer and aviator Ionel Fernic.
Probable cause (official findings): It is the opinion of the Board that the accident was caused by lightning which struck the aircraft in flight. Strong turbulences should be a contributory factor.