What happened
On October 1, 2008, a Boeing 737-300, registration EI-DON, operated by KD Avia, was scheduled to perform international flight KNI-793/794. The route originated from Kaliningrad (Khrabrovo Airport) with a destination of Barcelona, including a return leg to Kaliningrad. The crew, consisting of a captain, a first officer, and four flight attendants, had previously completed route preparation on May 7, 2008.
On the morning of the flight, the crew underwent medical examinations at the Khrabrovo Airport medical station, receiving clearance at 08:30. Following this, the crew completed navigation readiness checks at 08:35 and received a meteorological briefing from the duty forecaster at 08:45. At 08:48, the captain officially decided to proceed with the departure. At the time of departure from Kaliningrad, the aircraft was carrying 104 passengers and 1,129 kg of baggage.
The investigation
Records indicate that the weather conditions at the departure airport, Khrabrovo, involved heavy rain, visibility of 3,500 meters, and a continuous cloud base at 420 meters, with winds from 160 degrees at 6 m/s. The weather at the destination, Barcelona, was forecast to be CAVOK with winds around 340-350 degrees. The investigation noted that the crew had completed all necessary pre-flight protocols, including medical clearance and meteorological consultations, and that the weather met the crew's minimum requirements.