Croatian Air Force Commander and MIG 21 pilot hold conference on aircraft crash

“The aircraft was flying back from Zadar and the flight proceeded normally until the aircraft reached the landing approach, when the hydraulic system loss and the landing gear failure occured. The pilot managed to release the gear mechanically, at which moment the engine caught fire” said General Ščuri. He also said that the pilot was a highly experienced officer and performed all procedures as required, and continued operating in a concentrated manner directing the aircraft towards an unpopulated area and ejecting. Regarding the aircraft, General Ščuri stated that it was an older type – the 121 – and was not considered for overhaul. Although obsolete, it was in a good condition and maintained in full compliance with the regulations and the aviation rules. The General also said that the investigation by the responsible boards was expected to establish the circumstances of the accident.

The pilot who flew the aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Stanko Hrženjak attended himself the conference, and explained that in the landing approach the engine developed fault and exploded, filling the cockpit with smoke. «It occured at the 500 m altitude, 10 minutes prior to landing. I was overflying some houses so I flew farther and ejected. I fell some 20-30 m off the aicraft and the first thing I did was to take look at where the aircraft crashed“, explained the pilot with a 25-year flying career.