Light aircraft Piper PA-44-180 with two people on board crashed in rural area near Shumen, Bulgaria. The aircraft was en route from Balchik to the aviation school in Shumen, but the strong wind prevented the first attempt to land. Then the pilot turned back for another attempt, but lost control of the aircraft and crashed in rural area near the landing track.
On board of the aircraft are two people – 62-year-old Valentin Dimitrov and his 27-years-old son Alexander. Both suffered serious injuries during the crash and were hospitalized for medical treatment. Alexander’s condition is not so serious, but his father had life-threatening injuries.
“The aircraft was scrawled in the ground and jumped. With the right wing it hits a tree and crashes”, commented the investigating inspector, Hristo Hristov.
The pilot Valentin Dimitrov was owner and main trainer in the aviation school in Shumen. He was well experienced pilot with many flying hours.
The light aircraft Piper PA-44-180 was new, having all the necessary certificates. The Piper PA-44 Seminole is an American twin-engined light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft. The PA-44 is a development of the Piper Cherokee single-engined aircraft and is primarily used for multi-engined flight training.
The prosecutor’s office and the aviation administration work on three versions of the investigation – human error, technical failure or strong wind.
