Incident
Aircraft performing an instrument landing system (ILS) calibration at Xichang Airport struck a mountain during a post-calibration maneuver. The aircraft had been dispatched from Xichang Airport to calibrate the ILS system. After completing calibration of the runway 36 ILS, the crew initiated a go-around procedure and climbed to 8,000 feet.
While executing a 180-degree turn to join the runway 36 approach pattern, the aircraft impacted a mountain located 15 kilometers southwest of the airport. The mountain, which rises to 2,628 meters, was shrouded in clouds at the time. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Investigation
At the moment of impact, the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 8,400 feet. The minimum safe altitude for the area is 9,000 feet. The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be controlled flight into terrain.