Meridian Antonov 12 crash in Greece
All eight occupants of the Meridian Antonov 12 (UR-CIC, msn 01347701) perished, after the aircraft crashed ten miles west of Kavala, Greece, on 16 July 2022.
The Antonov was operating flight MEM3032 from Nis, Serbia, to Amman-Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan, and cruising at 21,000ft over the Aegean Sea when the aircraft began to lose altitude.
The crew reported engine trouble, and turned around towards land in Greece. Having reached the coast the aircraft began a right-hand turn with an increasing descent rate, which reached a rate of 3000-4000 feet per minute, until it cut a power line and crashed, impacting ground (approximate position N40.9582 E24.1982) in an open field near Paleochori Kavalas village. The aircraft burst into flames, leaving a wreckage trail of about 160 metres length.
Sources within the Greek Civil Aviation Authority reported the crew reported engine problems and requested to divert to Kavala but all contact with the aircraft was lost on approach to Kavala.
Ground observers reported the aircraft appeared to have been on fire while still airborne, which appeared to have expanded from the engine onto the wing. After impact a fire ball rose above the aircraft, which can be seen in this video.
Emergency services report that although it is unclear what the aircraft was carrying they treat the freight as hazardeous materials. Specialists are on their way to the site.
The following day Serbia's Minister of Defense reported the aircraft carried 11.5 tons of Serbian made defense products (mortar training missiles) purchased by Bangladesh's Defense Ministry. The aircraft was to make technical stops in Amman, Riyadh and Ahmedabad before reaching its final destination in Dhaka.
The transport was in line with all international law and had all relevant permits.