What happened
On a flight departing from Bucharest-Otopeni Airport destined for Oradea, the crew began their descent amidst challenging weather conditions. During this phase of the flight, the aircraft type impacted treetops before stalling and crashing into a snow-covered hill within the Vlădeasa Mountain Range, situated approximately 73 km southeast of Oradea Airport.
Search efforts located the wreckage three days after the initial impact. Among the occupants, one passenger was discovered alive. However, the total number of fatalities reached 20, as the sole survivor reported that at least eight other individuals who survived the impact succumbed to extreme cold temperatures following the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary reason for the crash was a premature descent performed by the flying crew. This action caused the plane to descend below the minimum required altitude, leading to controlled flight into terrain. Additionally, poor visibility caused by marginal weather conditions served as a contributing factor to the event.