Mostar - Bosnia

[320DRIVER]

Any pointers from anyone experienced in operating to Mostar, Bosnia?

Looking particularly for any info re: peculiar local wx phenomena, terrain, ATC problems etc. and maybe some info. re: handling, fuel etc.

Thanks to all for any info.


320DRIVER

[safetypee]

SARAJEVO, Bosnia- Herzegovina (AP) -- Errors by the crew caused the crash that killed Macedonia's
president and eight others on board two months ago, officials announced Wednesday.
A 75- page report produced by Bosnian, Macedonian, U. S. and NATO investigators said the aircraft was
functioning perfectly. But the two- man crew - a pilot and a co- pilot - miscalculated key flight data in stormy
weather.
"The immediate causes ... were procedural mistakes of the crew in regard to location and height while
approaching Mostar airport," Branko Dokic, Bosnia's transport and communications minister.
According to the report, the crew lowered the plane and embarked on its final approach curve to the airport
too soon in relation to the distance to the runway.
At another point the plane lost the beacon signal from the airport for 18 seconds - which normally should lead
to an aborted approach. But the pilots decided to try to land anyway.
The plane crashed against a hill about five miles south of the Mostar airport, killing President Boris Trajkovski,
six of his associates and the two pilots.
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Airspeed and Upwardness

[duckundweg]

My last approach into Mostar was in 2000. Maybe some things have changed until then.
You have an NDB Approach with very "interesting" fluctuations. Also, when you fly the NDB/DME 34 you have quite some terrain to your right (Sectors 120° until 330° inbound Mostar NDB) with an MSA of 9'000 feet. Check weather conditions early (lot's of low ceilings there) and if there is a slight doubt you can't make it - leave it. They have radar coverage in the area but the NDB is a real pain It is located about 8 miles away from the field and sometimes you really need to look to your left to see the field.

Well but thats all about 4 years ago - any updates on that data ?

TC, duckundweg