Summary
On November 13, 2025, an Air Tractor AT-802A (registration OR 2025) crashed near the village of Krivi put, near Senj, Croatia. The aircraft was operated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed by mechanical impact and fire.
History of Flight
The aircraft, along with a second Air Tractor AT-802A, had arrived at Rijeka Airport (LDRI) from Turkey on November 12, 2025. Both airplanes intended to land at Zagreb International Airport (LDZA) but were diverted to Rijeka due to unfavorable meteorological conditions. The purpose of their visit to Croatia was to perform certain work at the Aircraft Technical Center in Zagreb.
On November 13, 2025, at about 15:37 local time, both aircraft departed Rijeka on a VFR flight to Zagreb, flying approximately half a nautical mile apart, maintaining visual and radio contact. The flight to Zagreb was uneventful, but due to fog in the Zagreb area, they could not land at Zagreb International Airport. They turned back towards Rijeka Airport on the island of Krk.
The return flight proceeded without difficulty until reaching a mountain ridge between Gorski Kotar and the coast. The ridge was covered by cloud. Both aircraft entered the cloud to pass through to the other side, where visibility was again good. For a brief period, they were in instrument meteorological conditions.
After exiting the cloud over the Croatian coast, the pilot of the second aircraft did not see the lead aircraft, which should have been ahead. He contacted air traffic control, who reported that they also no longer saw the lead aircraft on radar. Attempts to establish radio contact with the lead pilot were unsuccessful. A search and rescue operation was initiated. The second aircraft landed at Rijeka Airport around 16:50 local time.
Investigation
The accident was reported to the Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accident Investigation Agency (AIN) by the police and Croatia Air Traffic Control. The wreckage was located later that evening. The aircraft was completely destroyed by mechanical impact and fire. The pilot was fatally injured.
AIN opened an investigation. On-site examination was conducted on November 14, 2025. Certain components were secured for further analysis. The remaining wreckage was removed from the site in the following days. Investigators from the Turkish accident investigation body arrived in Croatia on November 15, 2025, and visited the accident site. Coordination of the investigation between the two agencies was established.
Further investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and contributing factors. Radar data and communication recordings have been obtained from Croatia Air Traffic Control.
Probable Cause
The probable cause stated in the preliminary report is: "Loss of orientation in conditions without necessary visibility."