Accident Overview
On a night approach to runway 06 at Oslo-Fornebu Airport, an aircraft conducting a flight from Ålesund experienced a fatal accident. The approach was conducted in limited visibility due to night and fog. During the descent, the captain and the approach controller exchanged several messages of sympathy for Christmas. Thirteen seconds after passing 3,500 feet, the aircraft descended 1,510 feet below the minimum descent altitude (MDA). With landing gear and flaps extended, the aircraft struck tree tops and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area approximately 16 km west of the airport.
Damage and Occupants
The aircraft was totally destroyed. Of the occupants on board, five passengers survived the crash, while 40 occupants were killed. Among those killed were all three crew members.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident: incorrect navigation under a truncated instrument approach to runway 06 at Fornebu Airport. For reasons that could not be determined with certainty, the aircraft descended well below the MDA and was off course by 2.5° at the time of impact.
Several contributing factors were reported:
- The second ADF was probably tuned to a false frequency by mistake.
- It is possible that interference occurred with the ILS, which may have transmitted wrong information to the aircraft.
- The captain did not have a rest period in accordance with legislation.
- The captain exchanged messages with ATC that were not authorized during the initial approach.
- The control tower bearing indicator was moved from its fixed position in the control desk, reducing the possibility of random directional control.