Accident Details
A Pakistan Air Force aircraft departed Islamabad on a flight to Kohat with nine passengers and eight crew members aboard. While descending toward Kohat, the crew encountered poor visibility. At an altitude of 3,000 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 27 kilometers from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 17 occupants were killed. Among the deceased were Mushaf Ali Mir, Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, and his wife. He was traveling to Kohat with a delegation to perform the annual inspection of the airbase.
Official Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be controlled flight into terrain after the crew initiated descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum safe altitude until it impacted the ground. Poor weather conditions were considered a contributing factor.