What happened
During an approach to Athens-Hassani Airport, the flight crew encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions. The aircraft inadvertently penetrated a cumulonimbus cloud formation, exposing it to intense thunderstorm activity and severe turbulence. As a result of these atmospheric disturbances, the airframe lost aerodynamic control. The vehicle subsequently entered an uncontrolled dive and impacted the terrain on the slopes of Mount Parnitha, which stands at an elevation of 1,413 meters. The crash site was located approximately 30 kilometers north of the destination airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft, and all 22 occupants perished in the accident.
Findings
Official investigations determined that the immediate cause of the loss of control was the structural failure of the right wing while the aircraft was in flight. Analysis indicated that the combination of severe turbulence and aerodynamic pressure exceeded the certified load limits for the airframe, leading to the catastrophic disintegration of the wing structure.