What happened
A flight originating from Stockholm-Bromma Airport was scheduled to visit Hultsfred and Halmstad before reaching its destination at Ängelholm-Helsinborg Airport. During the journey, air traffic control directed the crew to proceed straight to Ängelholm due to adverse weather conditions. The aircraft maintained an altitude of 12,000 feet during this transit.
While performing a night approach, the aircraft deviated from its intended path and descended below the required altitude. The plane impacted the terrain with its landing gear and the tip of its starboard wing. Following this initial impact, the aircraft struck overhead power lines belonging to the West Coast Railway Line, which caused two concrete utility posts to collapse. The wreckage continued traveling for approximately 170 meters before hitting the ground a second time, resulting in the aircraft flipping onto its back and sliding for an additional 150 meters until it stopped.
The accident resulted in 31 fatalities, including both pilots and 29 passengers. Additionally, 12 individuals—consisting of two crew members and 10 passengers—sustained injuries, some of which were categorized as serious. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the sequence of impacts.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the accident likely occurred because the crew deviated from established procedures during an instrument approach. It is believed that the crew initiated their landing sequence prematurely after being disoriented by a specific lighting configuration at the airfield, which they were not familiar with.