What happened
During the takeoff roll on runway 09 at Sofia-Vrazhdebna Airport, a Tupolev Tu-154 failed to lift off the ground. The aircraft was unable to achieve rotation and subsequently overran the runway, coming to rest in a nearby ditch. Upon impact, the airframe sustained severe damage, and a post-crash fire erupted. The accident resulted in 29 fatalities and left 8 occupants seriously injured.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the crew was operating under significant time pressure. At the time of the incident, the airport was preparing for the departure of the Bulgarian President's aircraft, which necessitated a temporary suspension of other traffic. To avoid major delays, air traffic control authorized the crew to proceed with their departure but requested an expedited takeoff.
In the rush to depart, the flight crew neglected to complete the required pre-takeoff checklist. This oversight led to the stabilizer being incorrectly set in the down position. Because of this improper trim setting, the aircraft could not rotate during the takeoff roll, leading to the runway excursion and subsequent destruction of the aircraft.