Aircraft accident near Matsu Nangan Airport

6 fatalities • Matsu Nangan (Matsu Island), Taiwan • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft crashed into the sea approximately 1,600 meters off the coast of Matsu Nangan Airport following a descent in poor visibility.

What happened

During an approach to Matsu Nangan Airport, the flight crew encountered heavy fog that significantly reduced visibility. Although the aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the conditions had transitioned into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The pilot-in-command proceeded with the approach without establishing visual contact with the runway.

As the aircraft reached the final stage of the approach, the crew attempted to execute a go-around maneuver. However, the decision to abort the landing was made too late to avoid an impact. The aircraft struck the water surface and crashed in the sea at a distance of roughly 1,600 meters from the shore. The accident resulted in six fatalities and left 11 injuries among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the event indicate that the pilot-in-command continued the approach despite the lack of visual references to the runway. Furthermore, the crew failed to properly monitor the onboard instruments during the descent. The primary contributing factor was the failure to maintain proper instrument monitoring and the decision to continue the approach without visual contact with the landing area.

Probable cause

The pilot continued an approach under visual flight rules without maintaining visual contact with the runway or monitoring flight instruments.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-04-05 Dornier DO228 accident near Matsu Nangan (Matsu Island), Taiwan?

An aircraft crashed into the sea approximately 1,600 meters off the coast of Matsu Nangan Airport following a descent in poor visibility.

Were there any fatalities in the 1996-04-05 Dornier DO228 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-04-05 involved a Dornier DO228, registration B-12257, operated by Formosa Airlines, at Matsu Nangan (Matsu Island), Taiwan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot continued an approach under visual flight rules without maintaining visual contact with the runway or monitoring flight instruments.

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