Sofia - Varna

On August 2, 1988 at 12:00 AM, Sofia - Varna experienced a crash involving Yakovlev Yak-40, operated by Hemus Air - Bulgarian Aviation Company, with the event recorded near Sofia-Vrazhdebna Sofia Province.

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

37 people were known to be on board, 29 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 78.4%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 33, passenger fatalities: 26, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. During the takeoff roll on runway 09 at Sofia-Vrazhdebna Airport, the three engine aircraft was unable to rotate and failed to become airborne. It overran and crashed in a ditch, bursting into flames. Eight occupants were seriously injured while 29 others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Aircraft reference details include registration LZ-DOK, MSN 9 62 02 47, year of manufacture 1976.