What happened
During the final approach to Kaduna Airport, the flight crew encountered severe weather characterized by intense rainfall and significantly reduced visibility. As the aircraft was on short final, it passed through a rain squall, which caused the pilots to temporarily lose sight of the runway lighting.
As the descent continued, the aircraft made contact with the runway surface and subsequently bounced. This impact caused the aircraft to become unstable, leading it to veer toward the right side of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a stop off the paved surface.
While the aircraft was determined to be a total loss due to the extent of the damage, there were no fatalities. All 73 people on board were successfully rescued, though 13 individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
Findings
- The primary factor in the loss of situational awareness was the heavy rainfall and the resulting reduction in visibility.
- The encounter with a rain squall contributed to the loss of visual contact with essential runway markings and lights.