Aircraft Shot Down Near Bulgarian-Greek Border (4X-AKC)

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft departed London for Tel Aviv on 26 July at 2015 GMT, with scheduled stops at Paris and Vienna. On 27 July, it left Vienna at 0253 hours, with an estimated time of arrival over Belgrade at 0436 hours. ## Attack and Crash While flying at approximately 18,000 feet near the Yugoslav-Bulgarian border, the aircraft was fired upon by two Bulgarian fighters. After two additional attacks, it broke up in mid-air at an altitude of 2,000 feet and fell to the ground in flames. The crash site was located 3.5 km southeast of the junction of the Rivers Strumica and Strumon in Bulgarian territory, near the Bulgarian-Greek border. All 58 occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The official investigation stated that the aircraft sustained hits that caused loss of pressurization and a fire in the heater compartment. It broke up in mid-air due to an explosion caused by bullets hitting the right wing and probably the left wing, along with a projectile or projectiles of large calibre bursting in the rear end of the fuselage. ## Route Deviation and Bulgarian Response The findings also determined that the aircraft deviated from its route, violated the State frontier of Bulgaria, and penetrated deep into Bulgarian airspace without warning. Despite being equipped with air navigation devices, the aircraft was considered to have been aware of the violation. After being warned, it failed to comply and continued flying southwards toward the Bulgarian-Greek frontier. The Bulgarian air defense forces were noted to have acted with some hastiness and did not take all necessary measures to compel the aircraft to surrender and land. ## Broader Context The Bulgarian Government highlighted a history of violations of Bulgarian frontiers by aircraft of unknown nationality, including illegal crossings and the parachuting of armed individuals into Bulgarian territory. These incidents, along with protests to the United Nations, were cited as contributing to a tense atmosphere that the government said made it necessary to safeguard state security. The government stated that this tense atmosphere made possible the unfortunate accident to the Israeli airplane.