What happened
During a descent into Mannheim Airport, the flight crew faced reduced visibility caused by dense fog. As the aircraft proceeded on final approach, it deviated from the correct flight path. At an altitude of 1,500 feet and a speed of 430 km/h, the airplane collided with the eastern slope of Mt Weisser Stein, situated near Schriesheim approximately 15 km east of the airport.
The impact resulted in 10 fatalities among the occupants. Two passengers sustained serious injuries. The crew consisted of a pilot and a radio operator, both of whom perished in the accident. The passenger manifest included several individuals who were also killed, while one other passenger survived with severe injuries.
Findings
Investigations revealed no mechanical failures regarding the airframe, engines, or instrumentation. The official conclusion indicated that the aircraft was not maintaining the proper approach trajectory for Mannheim Airport at the time of the impact. This deviation is attributed to a navigational error, which was exacerbated by the prevailing foggy conditions.