Sofia - Moscow

On March 3, 1973 at 12:45 PM, Sofia - Moscow experienced a crash involving Ilyushin II-18, operated by Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, with the event recorded near Moscow-Sheremetyevo Moscow oblast.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

25 people were known to be on board, 25 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 17, passenger fatalities: 17, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. During an approach to Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport in marginal weather conditions, the crew initiated a go-around for unknown reason. During the second approach, at a distance of 5 km from the runway 07 threshold, the crew was informed by ATC that his position was 15 meters below the glide. Shortly later, the airplane nosed down then crashed in a huge explosion 4,330 meters short of runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 25 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration LZ-BEM, MSN 182 0056 02, year of manufacture 1962.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 55.9600°, 37.4130°.