Accident Sequence
During the approach, the crew selected an incorrect configuration, resulting in the aircraft crossing the runway threshold at a height of 30 meters and a speed of 350 km/h—well above the normal parameters for landing. Instead of executing a go-around, the pilot-in-command continued the descent.
The aircraft touched down 710 meters beyond the threshold, leaving insufficient runway distance to stop. It overran the end of the runway at a speed of 225 km/h, during which the landing gear collapsed. The airplane then slid for approximately 317 meters before colliding with concrete blocks that were 2 meters high. The impact caused a fire to erupt.
Casualties and Damage
Among the 34 occupants killed were all four crew members; an additional 29 passengers sustained injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that the probable cause was a wrong approach configuration by the flying crew—specifically, being too high on the glidepath and carrying excessive speed—combined with their failure to initiate a go-around when the landing was clearly missed. The concrete blocks that the airplane struck were part of construction work for a new runway.
Contributing factors included:
- Violation or neglect of various procedures by the crew,
- Lack of crew discipline,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Failure to use all available braking systems.