What happened
During the final approach phase toward the runway 16 threshold at Zurich-Kloten Airport, an aircraft (four engines) encountered severe environmental challenges. The flight was operating under nighttime conditions characterized by heavy fog, which significantly restricted the crew's visibility.
As the aircraft descended, it struck the tops of trees approximately 5 km north of the airport threshold. The impact resulted in a massive post-crash fire that completely destroyed the airframe. The accident resulted in six fatalities among the crew members, while one other occupant sustained injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the sequence of events indicate that the pilot-in-command was unaware that the aircraft had reached an insufficient altitude. This lack of situational awareness regarding the plane's height was primarily driven by the poor visibility caused by night and foggy conditions.