Two highly skilled pilots from the Dolna Mitropolia Air Base lost their lives in a tragic crash involving an L-39ZA combat training aircraft on September 13, 2024.
The incident occurred at the Third Air Base in Graf Ignatievo during a routine training exercise, as part of preparations for an airshow scheduled for September 14. The deceased have been identified as Major Petko Dimitrov Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Atanasov Dunkin.
At a press briefing, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov provided details on the accident, revealing that the aircraft had taken off at 12:17 p.m. and crashed at 12:30 p.m.
The L-39ZA aircraft had undergone significant repairs and was deemed technically sound before the flight, having recently undergone capital restoration and passed pre-flight checks. Despite these measures, the plane tragically crashed during the training exercise.
Minister Zapryanov confirmed that an investigation is underway, with the military prosecutor’s office and the aviation accident investigation inspectorate from the Military Police on site to determine the cause. Their findings will be released once the investigation concludes.
The Air Force Commander, Major General Dimitar Petrov, described the accident as a devastating loss for the Bulgarian Air Force. Both pilots were performing a planned training exercise, which had been in preparation for months ahead of the airshow.
Major Dimitrov was one of Bulgaria’s most experienced L-39 pilots, while Senior Lieutenant Dunkin was a promising young pilot with a strong professional record.
“Both were exceptional in their field. Major Dimitrov had an impeccable career, and Senior Lieutenant Dunkin showed tremendous potential. We have lost two of our finest today,” said Major General Petrov.
In recognition of their contributions, Defense Minister Zapryanov announced that three days of mourning would be observed within the Bulgarian armed forces. Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev also extended his condolences to the families and colleagues of the fallen pilots.
Major Dimitrov, who served as the Head of Flight Planning and Reporting at Dolna Mitropolia since 2021, graduated from the Higher Air Force School “G. Benkovski” in 1996.
Throughout his distinguished career, he received multiple awards for his impeccable service from the Minister of Defense and the Air Force Commander. A family man, Major Dimitrov’s loss is deeply felt across the Bulgarian military.
Senior Lieutenant Dunkin, who graduated from the same air force school in 2020, had been recognized for his professional performance and had been serving as a junior expert in aviation and simulator training at Dolna Mitropolia since January 2023.
Despite his short career, Dunkin had already established himself as a skilled and dedicated pilot.
The L-39ZA aircraft involved in the crash had been repaired under a contract with AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE, a Czech aerospace company, and was received after refit in June 2024. The aircraft had passed all technical maintenance checks and was considered fully operational prior to the flight.
The Bulgarian Air Force community is mourning the loss of two of its top pilots, whose dedication and professionalism will not be forgotten. The investigation into the crash continues as military officials seek to determine what led to the fatal incident.