Accident Overview
The flight from Ajaccio-Campo dell'Oro Airport was uneventful until the pilot began the approach to runway 14 at Zurich-Kloten. Conditions were poor, with night, limited visibility, freezing fog, and a vertical visibility of less than 100 feet. The horizontal visibility exceeded 100 meters, and the runway visual range (RVR) was 400 meters. Winds were calm.
The pilot maintained an excessive approach speed of 180 knots and failed to monitor altitude. The twin-engine airplane descended too low and struck the ground 1,700 meters short of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed, and both occupants sustained injuries.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that the accident was a controlled flight with ground during a night approach under CAT I conditions. Several contributing factors were identified:
- The pilot's experience on this type of aircraft was insufficient.
- The pilot failed to monitor flight instruments.
- The aircraft was unstable on final approach.
- The airplane struck the ground without any corrective action, and the pilot did not initiate a go-around.
- Poor weather conditions, with visibility below minimums.
- Conducting a CAT I approach to runway 14 was considered thoughtless.
- The approach speed was excessive—180 knots versus the recommended 105–115 knots.