What happened
During an approach to Shenzhen-Huangtian Airport, the aircraft encountered severe weather characterized by heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and significant turbulence. During the final segment of the approach, the flight was noted to be unstable. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a hard landing that caused the airframe to bounce and resulted in damage to the undercarriage.
Following the initial impact, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure by increasing engine power. During the subsequent landing attempt, the crew faced difficulties maintaining control, partly due to the structural damage sustained during the first landing attempt and the ongoing poor weather conditions. The aircraft eventually touched down at an excessive speed, leading to a loss of control. The plane veered off the runway and came to a stop in soft ground, where the fuselage broke into three sections and ignited. The accident resulted in 35 fatalities and 39 injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in unstable conditions due to heavy rain and thunderstorm activity.
- Structural damage to the undercarriage from a previous hard landing contributed to control difficulties during the second approach.
- The final excursion was preceded by an approach at an excessive speed.