What happened
On the evening of 20 January 1992, an Airbus A320, registration F-GGED, was performing a scheduled night flight from Lyon-Satolas to Strasbourg-Entzheim. The flight, operated by Air Inter, departed Lyon at approximately 17:20 hours carrying 90 passengers and 6 crew members. During the descent, the aircraft was cleared by the Reims regional navigation center to descend to Flight Level 70 near the ANDLO waypoint.
Upon contacting Strasbourg Approach Control at 18:09 hours, the aircraft was cleared to descend to 5,000 feet and subsequently instructed to perform a VOR-DME approach for runway 05. Due to the aircraft's existing speed and altitude, the crew initially requested an ILS approach for runway 23 followed by visual maneuvers. After being notified of takeoff delays on runway 05, the crew opted for a full VOR-DME procedure for runway 05. To facilitate this, the controller suggested radar guidance to return the aircraft to the ANDLO waypoint.
The crew executed the prescribed maneuvers, including a left turn to heading 230 and a reciprocal turn back toward ANDLO. At 18:19 hours, the controller cleared the aircraft for final approach as it passed the ANDLO waypoint, approximately 11 nautical miles from the STR VOR. The crew acknowledged a request to report passing the STR VOR, which proved to be the final communication with the aircraft.
The wreckage was located at 22:35 hours on the slope of Mont La Bloss, at an elevation of roughly 800 meters. The impact site was situated approximately 0.8 nautical miles left of the approach path and 10.5 nautical miles from the runway threshold. The accident resulted in 87 fatalities and 9 survivors, including one crew member.
Findings
- The flight crew attempted to modify their approach strategy due to the aircraft's inability to perform a direct approach at its current speed and altitude.