Incident Overview
On final approach by night to Chicago-O'Hare Airport, at an altitude of 200 feet, the captain decided to execute a go-around. During the maneuver, the aircraft lost height, struck the ground, and came to rest inverted on a hangar. The accident resulted in the deaths of three crew members and 24 passengers, as well as one person on the ground. Eighteen other individuals were injured.
Background
The approach was conducted under night conditions. The decision to go around was made by the captain when the aircraft was at a critical altitude. The subsequent loss of height led to the impact with terrain and then with a hangar structure.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be: "Spatial disorientation of the captain precipitated by atmospheric refraction of either the approach lights or landing lights at a critical point in the approach wherein the crew was transitioning between flying by reference to flight instruments and by visual reference to the ground."