The Slovenia Times

Croatian fighters intercept aircraft destined for Slovenia

Economy

Zagreb - A US-registered Beechcraft Bonanza civilian aircraft flying from Greece to Slovenia was intercepted by two Croatian MiG-21 fighter jets as it entered the Croatian airspace on Monday. The aircraft continued its flight to the destination after it had been established that it could not make contact with flight control as its avionics had failed.

The contact with the fighter jets of the Croatian Air Force and the small six-seater, single-engined aircraft was reported on Tuesday by the Croatian Defence Ministry, which said that it had taken place as part of the NATO air defence system.

The patrolling fighter jets intercepted the civilian aircraft as it entered the Croatian airspace in the south, coming from Greece, on orders from the NATO command in Torrejon, Spain, as the control tower could not establish radio contact with it.

After the pilot visually identified the aircraft, the fighter jets returned to their base near the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It turned out after radio communication was established that its avionics had failed.

The civilian aircraft continued its flight in accordance with the flight plan and landed safely in Slovenia, the ministry said, noting that the interception had been conducted in line with NATO rules.

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