Aerosvit Flight 241 was operating a passenger route from Kyiv, Ukraine, to Thessaloniki, Greece, when it encountered difficulty shortly after takeoff. The Yakovlev Yak-42, a Soviet-era aircraft designed for medium-range passenger transport, lost contact with air traffic control as it approached the Pierian Mountains. Shortly thereafter, local residents reported hearing a loud noise, followed by the discovery of debris scattered across the rugged terrain. All 70 occupants, including passengers and crew, were confirmed deceased.

Investigations revealed that the aircraft was facing adverse weather conditions, characterized by stormy skies and reduced visibility. This raised questions regarding the aircraft's maintenance history, crew training, and overall compliance with safety regulations. The Greek authorities, alongside their Ukrainian counterparts, launched a thorough investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors of the crash, which revealed systemic issues regarding air safety standards that needed addressing both nationally and internationally.

The tragedy led to increased scrutiny of flight safety protocols in Eastern Europe and sparked discussions on improving regulations and oversight for airlines operating older aircraft models. This incident left a lasting impact on the aviation industry, pressing for global reforms and modernization of air fleet safety and management.