Four Austrians Die in Croatian Plane Crash; Flight Unreported

A small aircraft carrying four Austrian citizens crashed near Medulin in southern Istria, Croatia, on June 5, 2026. The victims, aged between 40 and 65, were traveling from Linz, Austria, to Istria.

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In connection with the aviation accident of June 4 in the area of Medulin municipality, in which four Austrian citizens died as a result of the aircraft hitting the ground, an on-site investigation was carried out by police officers of the Istrian Police Administration with the participation of investigators from the Agency for Investigation of Accidents in Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic and the duty deputy county prosecutor from the County State Attorney's Office in Pula-Pola, and a review and autopsy of the bodies of the deceased persons were ordered.

The County State Attorney's Office in Pula confirmed the ages of the deceased passengers and pilot. An on-site investigation was conducted by police and accident investigators, with autopsies ordered for the victims. The Agency for Investigation of Accidents in Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic is leading the investigation into the crash's cause, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.

Austrian media identified one of the victims as Walter Pondorfer, a prominent Austrian amusement park entrepreneur and founder of Funtime. The flight was reportedly not registered with Croatian authorities, and the pilot did not announce a landing in Medulin. However, a representative from Austrian aviation authorities stated the pilot was conscientious and had submitted flight plans.

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Further measures and actions are being taken to establish all relevant circumstances of this event.

Investigators will rely on alternative data sources to determine the cause, as the Beechcraft G36 aircraft is not equipped with a traditional "black box." Reports suggest the aircraft may have suddenly lost altitude before impact.

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The Agency received an official report on the plane crash on Thursday at 11:20 AM from the Istrian Police Administration and Croatian Air Traffic Control.