What happened
A calibration mission conducted by the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority ended in a fatal accident while the crew was performing equipment checks. The flight departed from Bucharest-Băneasa Airport with a total of eight people on board, consisting of three crew members and five passengers. The objective of the flight was to calibrate IFR equipment and precision approach radar at both Satu Mare and Baia Mare Airports.
After successfully completing the necessary procedures at Satu Mare, the aircraft proceeded toward Baia Mare Airport. Following three completed approaches, the crew began a fourth descent. During this phase, Air Traffic Control notified the pilot that weather conditions were worsening due to snowfall and visibility had dropped to 3 km. While attempting the approach, the aircraft descended below the safe altitude and struck trees before impacting a house approximately 7.5 km short of runway 28. The impact destroyed both the aircraft and the building.
Findings
The accident resulted in eight fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft and two fatalities of individuals inside the house. One person on the ground sustained injuries. Investigations concluded that the crash was caused by the incorrect execution of a turn to a magnetic heading of 276°.