site.btaRomanian Private Plane Makes Emergency Landing near Gigen

A Romanian private plane made an emergency landing near the village of Gigen (North Bulgaria), Pleven District Prosecutor Vladimir Nikolov said here on Monday.

The plane was piloted by a Romanian citizen, who is also the owner of the aircraft. On August 1, he and his wife, also a Romanian citizen, were returning from a vacation in Greece when, due to an engine failure, they made an emergency landing in the area of the village of Gigen. The passengers were not injured. The plane was damaged.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched into the incident. A specialized technical examination is to be carried out.

An expert from the National Board for Investigation of Accidents in air, water, and rail transport at the Council of Ministers was present during the inspection of the crashed aircraft at the site.

Nikolov also said that the aircraft was flying in accordance with the law. It was flying according to an approved flight plan issued by the Republic of Greece.

Gigen Mayor Verka Tonova told BTA that the incident occurred in the afternoon when the plane carrying the Romanians and their dog landed in an old irrigation canal between their village and the village of Zagrazhden. There was no material damage on the ground.

After the incident, the police assisted the Romanian citizens in reaching Nikopol, Mayor Tonova added.