Accident
On final approach to Kiev-Zhuliany Airport, the pilot of a twin-engine aircraft encountered poor visibility with horizontal visibility of 900 metres and vertical visibility of 100 feet due to low clouds, conditions below minimums. The aircraft descended too fast and too low. At a speed of 220 knots on short final, the aircraft impacted the ground in a wasteland 2,590 metres short of runway 08 and 48 metres to the right of its extended centerline. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
All five occupants—four passengers and one pilot—were killed. Among the victims was the CEO of the Czech company Minib, which had purchased the aircraft on 28 November. According to Czech authorities, the aircraft was to be transferred to the Czech Republic registry within January 2008.
The flight was an executive service from Hradec Králové to Kiev.
Investigation
Official findings determined that the aircraft impacted the ground after the pilot continued the approach in below-minima weather conditions. Specific findings included:
- The pilot continued the descent below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) until impact.
- ATC instructed the pilot twice to initiate a go-around procedure, but this instruction came too late.
- The pilot was approaching the airport at an excessive speed and below the glide path.
- Poor visibility due to low clouds (below minimums).
No additional causal factors were identified.