Cirrus SR22 accident near Balchik, Bg, August 24, 2018
On August 24, 2018 at about 4:08 pm local time, a Cirrus SR22, registered LZSEV, was destroyed in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Balchik (Balchik Airport). It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 1 person was killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2018 · about 4:08 pm local time
- Place
- Balchik, Bulgaria · Balchik Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Cirrus SR22 · all SR22s on the register
- Registration
- LZSEV · no longer on the register · serial 2503
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 24, 2018, at 1608 coordinated universal time, a Cirrus SR22, LZ-SEV, impacted terrain at the Balchik Airfield (LBWB), Balchik, Bulgaria. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Lesnovo Airport (LBLS), Lesnovo, Bulgaria and was destined to LBWB. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Bulgarian government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Bulgarian government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit 9 "Diakon Ignatii" str. Sofia 1000
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: LBLS Lesnovo
- Destination: LBWB Balchik
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.