What happened
During a night approach into Zurich-Kloten Airport under marginal weather conditions, an aircraft struck the ground approximately 1,500 meters before reaching the threshold of runway 14. The impact caused the loss of the left wing, leading to the destruction of the airframe in a nearby field. At the time of the accident, visibility was significantly reduced by nighttime and inclement weather.
During the descent, the approach controller attempted to alert the crew twice regarding their insufficient altitude. However, communications from the pilot were difficult to understand. The aircraft was operating approximately 1,500 feet below the required minimum descent altitude at the time of the incident. The accident resulted in one fatality and six injuries, while the remaining 37 occupants escaped without harm.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the flight crew chose to descend beneath the established glide path in an attempt to maintain visual contact with the terrain. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft flying below the minimum descent altitude and continuing the approach at a height that violated standard operating procedures. The presence of poor visibility due to night and adverse weather was identified as a contributing factor to the event.