What happened
During a local training mission operating out of Yamoussoukro Airport, the flight crew was performing several circuits. After completing these maneuvers, air traffic control authorized a descent from 3,000 feet down to 1,000 feet to facilitate a new instrument approach.
As the aircraft progressed through the descent, the area was experiencing heavy fog, which significantly restricted visibility. During this phase of flight, the aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude. The flight subsequently impacted trees and crashed into a prairie area situated approximately 40 km northwest of Yamoussoukro Airport. The accident resulted in three fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the accident indicate that the primary factor was the descent below the minimum descent altitude while operating in conditions of limited visibility caused by fog.