Two dead after ultralight aircraft crashes in Croatia’s Paklenica National Park

(Photo: HGSS – Hrvatska gorska služba spašavanja)

Two people have died after an ultralight aircraft travelling from the Czech Republic to Zadar crashed in Croatia’s Paklenica National Park, with rescuers locating the wreckage late on Friday evening.

The aircraft, registered D-KWZE, was flying from the Czech Republic towards Zadar when its signal was lost at around 4.14pm on 21 August, according to the Croatian Civil Protection Directorate.

Following the loss of contact, the Croatian Air Traffic Control informed the Civil Protection Operations Centre, which immediately launched a search and rescue operation.

Police, firefighters, civil protection teams and members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) were deployed to the area. Additional resources, including drones, a command vehicle and equipment for night-time searches, were also sent from the Civil Protection Intervention Units in Split and Rijeka.

A base of operations was established at the HGSS station in Starigrad-Paklenica, from where the search was coordinated.

The search focused on the Struge area of Paklenica National Park, where teams faced extremely difficult terrain and poor weather conditions.

According to HGSS, around 40 rescuers took part in the operation, with members from several HGSS stations, including Zadar, Gospić, Zagreb, Osijek, Zlatar Bistrica, Split and Novska. Two members of the Paklenica National Park team also participated.

An analysis of the aircraft’s flight data helped search teams narrow down the possible location of the aircraft. Ground teams subsequently located the wreckage at around 10pm.

Two people were found inside the aircraft, both without signs of life.

The search operation continued until the wreckage was secured and all further activities were coordinated with police and the Civil Protection Directorate. HGSS teams returned to the Starigrad-Paklenica base at around 1am.

(Photo: HGSS – Hrvatska gorska služba spašavanja)

Police from the Lika-Senj Police Department secured the crash site. A detailed investigation was scheduled for the early hours of Saturday to establish the circumstances and cause of the accident.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the identities of those who died.