What happened
During an approach to Prague-Ruzyne Airport, the flight crew encountered challenging meteorological conditions characterized by rain, fog, and visibility restricted to 1,500 meters. While performing the descent, the aircraft descended beneath the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA). As the plane entered the Vltava Valley, the captain attempted to regain altitude by increasing engine thrust.
During this maneuver, the aircraft type struck treetops before impacting a residential zone consisting of gardens and houses, roughly 8 km from the runway threshold. The accident resulted in 75 fatalities and 45 injuries, which included one member of the crew.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the Instrument Landing System (ILS) was not functioning at the time of the incident. The primary factor contributing to the crash was the decision by the crew to descend below the established MDA while operating in low-visibility conditions, leading to an impact with obstacles.