What happened
During a nighttime cargo operation in Czechoslovakia, an aircraft transporting newspapers crashed while approaching Brno-Tuřany Airport. The flight was being conducted on behalf of the national carrier, CSA Czech Airlines. While attempting its approach, the aircraft type struck the slope of Mt Bradlo, which stands at 548 meters, within the Chriby Mountain Range near Vřesovice.
The wreckage was eventually located approximately 35 km east of Tuřany Airport. The accident resulted in five fatalities, with all members of the flight crew losing their lives.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the flight crew initiated their descent earlier than permitted. At the moment of impact, the aircraft was flying at an altitude of only 550 meters, significantly below the required minimum altitude of 1,800 meters established for that specific airspace. The premature descent was a primary factor in the collision.
Environmental conditions also played a role, as nighttime darkness and marginal weather led to low visibility, making it difficult for the crew to identify the mountain terrain. Additionally, while the flight was scheduled for CSA, the original airline crew had declined the mission due to the inclement weather. Consequently, a military crew was assigned to the flight, though they lacked specific training for operating in such challenging meteorological conditions.