Accident Overview
A positioning flight from Magong to Taipei ended in a collision with terrain near Taipei-Songshan Airport. While descending in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy rain, the crew descended to an altitude of 1,000 feet, well below the prescribed minimum descent altitude of 2,500 feet. The aircraft struck the slope of a wooded hill located 20 kilometers from the airport.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, delivered new to TransAsia Airways on December 20 of the previous year, was equipped with a Category II Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS). All four crew members onboard were killed in the impact, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the crew failed to adhere to the published approach procedures and continued the descent below the minimum descent altitude until the aircraft struck the ground. Investigators believe that the GPWS alarm did not sound in the cockpit and was not recorded on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
Conclusion
The accident was attributed to the crew's failure to follow established procedures, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.