Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Walltopia owner with injuries, but in decent condition after plane crash

Ivaylo Penchev
Photo: BGNES

Owner of "Walltopia", which is currently the largest manufacturer of artificial climbing walls in the world, Ivaylo Penchev, was injured in a plane crash, but is adequate and in stable condition. He was hospitalized in the Pirogov Hospital in Sofia, where he is to have an operation. This was announced by Penchev himself in an interview with private television bTV.

The businessman's small private plane, piloted by himself, crashed on Saturday, May 9, minutes after taking off from the airport in Lesnovo, about 22 km from Sofia. He asked to land after a problem with the engine of his two-seater Skyleader 600 occurred. During the landing approach, the plane fell on its left wing.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Christmas town opens in Plovdiv’s central square

Plovdiv will offer concerts, bazaars and an ice park for the Christmas and New Year holidays to its citizens and guests, the municipality has announced. Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov will light the Christmas tree in front of the Plovdiv Municipality..

published on 11/27/25 8:05 AM

Bulgaria faces widespread rain and cooler temperatures

On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range from 3° to 19°C, with eastern areas reaching 15–19°C and Sofia around 6°C. The day will be cloudy with widespread rain. Heavy rainfall is expected in western regions overnight and in central and southern..

published on 11/26/25 7:05 PM

Georg Georgiev: Support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia must continue

“Solutions for achieving peace in Ukraine must be based on fundamental principles of the UN Charter, such as sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.” This was stated by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev at the informal video..

published on 11/26/25 6:41 PM