What happened
On the date of the accident, an aircraft departed from Xichang Airport to perform calibration services for the local Instrument Landing System (ILS). After the crew finished calibrating the ILS for runway 36, they began a go-around maneuver and ascended to an altitude of 8,000 feet.
While the crew was performing a 180-degree turn to re-enter the approach pattern for runway 36, the aircraft struck a mountain located approximately 15 km southwest of the airport. The mountain peak, which reached an elevation of 2,628 metres, was obscured by clouds at the time of the collision. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and three fatalities among the crew.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that the aircraft was operating at an altitude of 8,400 feet during the cruise phase of the maneuver. This altitude was below the required minimum altitude of 9,000 feet established for that specific airspace.