Introduction
On a night approach to Palermo-Punta Raisi Airport, the crew conducted a descent under poor weather conditions characterized by heavy rainfall, thunderstorm activity, and reduced visibility. The flight from Rome-Fiumicino Airport had been uneventful. During the descent, the crew received weather information indicating visibility of 4 km with few cumulonimbus clouds at 1,800 feet and a windshear warning for runway 20.
Approach and Impact
On final approach, at an altitude of 810 feet (100 feet above the minimum descent altitude), following the 'minimum' call, the captain instructed the copilot to continue the approach despite the copilot not having established visual contact with the runway. At 240 feet, the copilot reported the runway in sight but noted that all four PAPI lights were red. The captain then took over control after the aircraft deviated from the descent profile. With a descent rate of 1,360 feet per minute, the aircraft impacted ground 367 meters short of the runway 07 threshold and collided with the runway 25 localizer antenna. Upon impact, both main landing gear were partially torn off. The aircraft slid for approximately 850 meters before coming to rest on the left side of the runway.
Rescue and Damage
All 129 occupants were rescued, with 35 sustaining injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation classified the event as a short landing accident primarily due to human factors. The aircraft contacted the ground short of the runway threshold due to the crew's decision to continue the instrument approach without a declared shared acquisition of necessary visual references for completing the non-precision procedure and landing maneuver. Contributing factors included poor crew resource management, non-compliance with standard operating procedures, failure to adhere to operator rules, complacency due to routine, adverse weather conditions reducing visibility, the 'black hole approach' phenomenon, and reduced performance of the SLTH light beam in extreme rain.