What happened
During a climb shortly after departing from Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, the crew reported a failure of the number four engine. Following this mechanical issue, air traffic control authorized a return to the airport for an emergency landing. At the time of the initial engine failure, visibility was estimated between 500 and 1,000 meters.
As the aircraft approached the runway, weather conditions worsened significantly, with winds strengthening and visibility dropping to approximately 80 meters. In response to these deteriorating conditions, the captain initiated a go-around maneuver. During this phase, the aircraft banked sharply to the right and crashed near the threshold of runway 25. Despite the impact, all 28 occupants were evacuated from the aircraft without loss of life, though the airframe was destroyed.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in the accident was the sudden and severe intensification of atmospheric conditions caused by a localized squall. Intense winds and downdrafts forced the aircraft downward, leading to a loss of altitude. The pilot's attempt to reapply power occurred too late in the maneuver; investigators noted that if power had been applied earlier based on updated weather information, the aircraft would have maintained sufficient altitude to clear the ground.
Several secondary factors contributed to the accident. A report of unidentified smoke on board briefly distracted the crew from flight controls. Additionally, the aircraft was found to be 660 kg overweight, as the actual load exceeded the weight recorded on the flight manifest. Finally, while a weather update regarding wind conditions was transmitted by the tower, the pilot did not react to the information in time to adjust the approach parameters effectively.