Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.48188/so.7.9
Three decades after the CT-43 airplane crash near Dubrovnik in 1996: forensic reconstruction, diplomatic memory, and Croatian–American collaboration
Šimun Anđelinović
; University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
Dragan Primorac
; St. Catherine Specialty Hospital, Zabok/Zagreb, Croatia; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA; School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, New Haven, CT, USA
Ante Gugić
; Croatian Generals Association, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Definis
; University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
Ivan Mario Staničić
; University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
Ivana Kružić
; Faculty of Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Željana Bašić
; Faculty of Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
*
Ivan Jerković
; Faculty of Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Aim: To re-examine the 1996 airplane crash near Dubrovnik as a historical-forensic case study, focusing on the diplomatic purpose of the mission, the circumstances of the accident, and the Croatian institutional response in search, recovery, identification, and commemoration.
Methods: This study used a narrative historical-forensic approach based on official aviation investigation reports, Croatian police and forensic documentation, U.S. congressional and governmental materials, contemporary reports, and commemorative sources. The analysis integrated aviation findings with medico-legal, institutional, diplomatic, and memorial contexts.
Results: The CT-43A crash occurred during a U.S. diplomatic and economic mission undertaken shortly after the end of the Homeland War, with the aim of supporting reconstruction, stability, and renewed partnership in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aviation investigation findings attributed the accident to a combination of command failure, aircrew error, and an improperly designed non-precision approach procedure. Croatian police, rescue, medical, and forensic personnel responded under difficult terrain and weather conditions, secured the site, recovered the victims, performed preliminary identification procedures, and cooperated closely with IFOR/NATO and U.S. authorities. The response reflected the operational maturity Croatian forensic institutions had developed during the Homeland War and immediate post-war period.
Conclusion: Three decades later, the CT-43A airplane crash should be understood not only as an aviation disaster, but also as a forensic, diplomatic, and commemorative event. The case demonstrates how professional disaster response, international cooperation, and historical-forensic documentation can contribute to institutional memory and shared Croatian–American remembrance.
Ključne riječi
air accidents; disaster victim identification; forensic medicine; mass fatality incidents; diplomacy; United States–Croatia relations
Hrčak ID:
347853
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.1.2026.
Posjeta: 115 *