Accident Overview
An aircraft operating a flight from Karachi was approaching Abu Dhabi-Al Bateen Airport under good weather conditions. During the short final approach, the aircraft exploded and crashed short of the runway, subsequently bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by the impact forces and a post-crash fire. None of the 112 occupants survived.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident, as stated in the official investigation, is that a bomb exploded in the cargo compartment, leading to the destruction of the aircraft. However, an air traffic control (ATC) controller who was working at Abu Dhabi-Al Bateen Airport at the time of the accident later reported that the aircraft had been mistakenly shot down by a surface-to-air missile. The controller indicated that UAE soldiers were performing exercises in the vicinity of Al Bateen International Airport at the time.