What happened
While operating a flight from Bahar Dar to Debra Marcos, the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 11,500 feet when it encountered deteriorating weather conditions. As the crew descended into a layer of low clouds, visibility significantly decreased.
During this descent, the pilot identified a mountain directly in the flight path. In an attempt to avoid the terrain, the pilot initiated a climb to increase altitude. However, during this maneuver, the rear section of the aircraft made contact with treetops. This impact led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft to crash into the slopes of Mt Choke. The accident resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries among those on board.
Findings
- The flight was operating in conditions characterized by low clouds and reduced visibility.
- The primary factor in the accident was the impact with trees during a terrain avoidance maneuver, which induced an aerodynamic stall.