What happened
While navigating along the Spanish coastline, the flight crew reported a critical mechanical issue via radio. The operator informed ground control that one engine had stopped and that they were forced to ditch the aircraft into the water. Shortly after this communication, the plane crashed into the sea approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Cabo de Palos.
Rescue efforts faced significant delays, with the first responders arriving at the scene only 24 hours after the incident. By that time, the aircraft had sunk to a considerable depth. Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers managed to evacuate two individuals: the mechanic and a passenger. Tragically, all other 42 occupants on board perished in the accident.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that determining the precise cause of the engine failure was not possible. The aircraft sank rapidly to a significant depth, making recovery efforts unfeasible and leaving only limited debris available for analysis. Due to this lack of physical evidence, investigators relied on the testimony of the two survivors. However, even with their accounts, it remained impossible to identify the exact technical reason behind the engine stoppage.