What happened
During a nighttime cargo operation from Dubai to Colombo, the flight crew began their descent toward Bandaranaike International Airport using GPS and DME navigation. After receiving clearance to descend to FL150, the crew was provided with the local pressure settings of 1009 mb (QNH) and 756 mm Hg (QFE).
An error occurred during the setup of the cockpit instruments when the co-pilot entered a pressure value of 765 mm Hg into the altimeters instead of the correct 756 mm Hg. As the aircraft approached the airport, it was positioned only 60 meters above the sea at a distance of 14 km from the field. The descent continued until the landing gear made contact with the water surface approximately 10.7 km from the threshold of runway 04.
Following the initial impact with the water, the captain attempted a go-around procedure. However, while maintaining an altitude between 60 and 90 meters, the decision was made to continue the approach. Fearing that the undercarriage had sustained structural damage, the pilot executed a belly landing. The aircraft came to a stop 450 meters beyond the runway threshold and 50 meters to the right of the centerline, sliding for 2,230 meters. There were no fatalities among the seven occupants, though the aircraft was a total loss.
Findings
- The primary cause of the low altitude during descent was the incorrect input of the QFE pressure setting into the altimeters by the co-pilot.