What happened
During a nighttime approach to Bahrain, an aircraft identified as 'Ciel de Picardie' encountered visibility conditions of approximately 1,370 meters. While performing the approach to runway 29, the aircraft type struck the surface of the Persian Gulf roughly 5,200 meters before reaching the runway threshold. Following the impact, the plane sank to a depth of 12 feet.
Emergency responders reached the crash site approximately eight hours after the incident occurred. The accident resulted in 46 fatalities among the occupants. Six individuals, including the pilot, the radio officer, and four passengers, were successfully rescued from the wreckage.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the pilot in command failed to maintain an accurate monitoring of altitude and descent rate while executing a timed approach procedure. This lack of vertical control led to the aircraft striking the sea surface.
Additional contributing factors included the absence of functional radio landing aids and adequate runway approach lighting at the Bahrain airport during the time of the accident. Investigators also noted that pilot fatigue was a potential factor that could not be dismissed.