What happened
During the final approach to Palu-Mutiara Airport, the flight crew encountered adverse weather characterized by heavy rainfall and significantly reduced visibility. While maneuvering on the final approach, the aircraft descended to an insufficient altitude. This resulted in the plane striking the side of Mount Kalora, a peak reaching 690 meters, approximately 8 kilometers before reaching the runway.
The impact caused the total destruction of the aircraft. There were 12 fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported from the crash site.
Findings
- The crew was operating in poor meteorological conditions with limited visual range due to rain.
- The pilot failed to maintain the required altitude during the final approach phase, leading to the collision with terrain.