Fatal crash of charter aircraft near Kabul-Khwaja Rawash Airport

45 fatalities • Kabul, Afghanistan • Landing (descent or approach)

A charter flight traveling from Sharjah to Kabul crashed into a mountain slope during its descent, resulting in the deaths of all 45 people on board.

What happened

A charter operation flying from Sharjah to Kabul, which included a scheduled stop in Kandahar, crashed while approaching Kabul-Khwaja Rawash Airport. The flight was transporting a total of 45 occupants, consisting of 35 passengers and 10 crew members.

During the descent phase of the flight, the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions. As the crew navigated through these difficult conditions, the plane's altitude was not sufficient to clear the surrounding terrain. Consequently, the aircraft collided with the side of Mt Shakh-e Barantay, a peak reaching an elevation of 2,714 metres. The impact occurred approximately 15 km south of the destination airport. Search efforts located the debris field less than 100 metres below the mountain's summit. The force of the collision caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and there were 45 fatalities.

Findings

The investigation determined that the crash was a result of controlled flight into terrain occurring during the approach to the airport.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a mountain slope because the crew maintained an insufficient altitude while navigating through poor weather conditions.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-03-19 Boeing 727-200 accident near Kabul, Afghanistan?

A charter flight traveling from Sharjah to Kabul crashed into a mountain slope during its descent, resulting in the deaths of all 45 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1998-03-19 Boeing 727-200 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 45 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-03-19 involved a Boeing 727-200, registration YA-FAZ, operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines, at Kabul, Afghanistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck a mountain slope because the crew maintained an insufficient altitude while navigating through poor weather conditions.

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