What happened
Following refueling in Poznan, the aircraft D-ICBC, a type not specified, departed at 14:35 UTC under instrument flight rules. While the flight plan was processed as a Y flight plan by authorities in Brussels, discrepancies existed regarding the intended flight rules between IFR and VFR. The aircraft proceeded through the M736 air corridor, reaching the Italian airspace boundary at flight level 250.
At 15:54 UTC, the crew contacted Padua ACC, reporting their approach to the LIZUM waypoint. Although instructed to fly direct to LUSIL, the aircraft deviated from the assigned path, turning toward Samedan on a heading of approximately 240°. After being cleared to descend to flight level 170, the crew confirmed they were heading toward Samedan and subsequently transitioned from instrument flight rules to visual flight rules at 16:05 UTC.
Upon contacting Samedan Tower, the crew was advised of the active runway and local pressure settings. The aircraft continued a steady descent, passing flight level 130 at 16:11 UTC while beginning a slow left turn that aligned the aircraft with the centerline of runway 21. Radar tracking ceased at 16:15 UTC when the aircraft was last seen at flight level 101. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck the Sarsura glacier at an elevation of 9,640 feet. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft deviated from the assigned air traffic control instruction to fly direct to LUSIL.
- The crew maintained a continuous descent toward the terrain while transitioning to visual flight rules.