Accident Overview
On the night of the accident, an aircraft was descending to Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport but could not locate the runway due to poor visibility caused by night and fog. The pilot decided to divert to Tainan Airport but was unable to land there and subsequently returned to Kai Tak. During the final approach to runway 31, while descending below the 400-foot ceiling, the aircraft hit the water and crashed into the sea off Aguilar Cape, approximately 11 km south of the runway 31 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all 16 occupants were killed.
Attempted Diversion
After failing to locate the runway at Kai Tak because of darkness and fog, the pilot changed course for Tainan Airport. The landing at Tainan was unsuccessful, leading to a return to Kai Tak.
Final Approach and Impact
On the final approach to runway 31 at Kai Tak, the aircraft descended below the reported 400-foot ceiling. While executing a left turn to join the runway 31 approach path, the left wing tip struck the water surface. The aircraft then crashed into the sea off Aguilar Cape, about 11 km south of the runway 31 threshold. All 16 occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.