Accident
While preparing to land at Ercan Airport, the flight crew initiated a descent in conditions of limited visibility due to marginal weather. After receiving clearance for a VOR approach, the captain canceled the IFR flight plan and descended prematurely at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The captain elected to make a turn to avoid a nearby mountain, but the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain rising to 954 meters, located approximately 16 kilometers north of Ercan Airport.
Aftermath
The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate. All 15 occupants on board were killed. The flight was operated on behalf of JAT Yugoslav Airlines. Among the occupants were six Turkish citizens (crew), seven Yugoslav citizens, and two British citizens.