Due to a transponder malfunction, the aircraft signaled a hijack, which led to the MiG-29 being intercepted by a MiG-29 fighter and triggering emergency security procedures in Bulgaria.
The plane signaled a hijacking over Bulgaria / photo: pixabay.com
An Electra Airways Airbus A320 passenger aircraft flying from Warsaw to Tel Aviv on behalf of the Polish LOT was intercepted by a Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter after a false signal indicating a possible hijacking was triggered. Digi24 reports this with reference to the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport.
The incident occurred on Tuesday due to a technical malfunction of the transponder, which mistakenly transmitted code 7500 – a signal that in aviation means unlawful interference or hijacking of an aircraft.
As a result, airspace protection procedures were activated, and a MiG-29 fighter was scrambled to intercept the airliner. The plane was escorted until the situation was clarified.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense noted that after establishing the absence of a real threat, the plane left the country’s airspace through Turkey, after which, at the request of the airline, it was redirected to Burgas airport, where it successfully landed at 17:15 local time.
“A technical malfunction of the aircraft’s transponder was confirmed, which transmitted a false signal about an illegal intrusion,” the department noted.
The incident did not result in injuries, and the operation of Burgas airport was not disrupted.
The Israeli Air Force confirmed it scrambled two fighter jets to check the situation over the Mediterranean after losing contact with the aircraft during the incident, but stressed there was “no cause for concern about the security incident.”
At Warsaw Chopin Airport, they noted that they consider the incident as a technical error, and no signs of external intervention have yet been identified.
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