What happened
During a local night training operation at Batagay Airport, an aircraft was performing its fourth circuit when it impacted terrain. The mission had proceeded without incident through the first three circuits; however, weather conditions began to deteriorate as snow showers moved into the area. Just prior to the accident, visibility decreased from 7 km to 4 km.
While on final approach, the aircraft struck a snow-covered slope. The impact occurred approximately 2,200 meters before reaching the runway and 205 meters to the right of the extended centerline. The collision resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities, involving both members of the flight crew.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to operational oversight. The crew performed the training mission without possessing the necessary flying charts, representing a failure in flight preparation. Additionally, the air traffic control staff at Batagay Airport Tower did not provide the crew with critical updates regarding the deteriorating weather conditions during the approach.