Accident Details
The aircraft was en route from Torslanda Airport in Göteborg, Sweden, to RAF Bovingdon in the United Kingdom. On board were a crew of four and a cargo of 174 frozen reindeer carcasses. As the aircraft entered the Bovingdon area, the captain chose to use the Standard Beam Approach (SBA) for the instrument let-down.
The last instruction from the Bovingdon air traffic controller was for the aircraft to descend to 2,000 feet and report when over the SBA main beacon. The crew did not make this report.
Crash and Aftermath
Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude approximately six miles southwest of Bovingdon. Seconds later, the aircraft struck the ground. The impact killed all four crew members instantly, and fire broke out. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire and impact.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation into the accident was unable to determine a probable cause with sufficient evidence. However, investigators noted that the possibility of ice formation on the aircraft could not be entirely discounted as a contributing factor.