Incident
On descent to runway 22 at Bratislava-Ivanka-Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport, the flight crew employed an incorrect approach configuration. The aircraft descended at a rate of 22 m/s instead of the intended 10 m/s, causing instability and airspeed fluctuations between 435 km/h and 225 km/h. The flaps were extended directly from zero to full deflection, leading to a speed reduction. Reverse thrust was activated on engines 2 and 3 below 1,000 meters, after which engine 3 failed. In the ensuing confusion, the crew inadvertently feathered the propeller of engine 4.
Approximately 50 meters above the runway threshold, the captain initiated a go-around. The aircraft climbed to 40 meters and began a right turn, at which point engine 4 was restarted. The aircraft then rolled to the right, stalled, and crashed into Zlaté piersky Lake, located one kilometer short of runway 13 threshold, northwest of the airport.
Rescue and Aftermath
Four passengers were rescued from the accident, while 75 other occupants were killed. Several hours later, one of the survivors succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a wrong approach configuration by the flying crew, who failed to follow approved procedures. Contributing factors included poor approach planning, poor crew coordination, an unstable approach, failure of engine 3, activation of reverse thrust at an unsafe altitude, inadvertent feathering of engine 4's propeller, inappropriate decisions by the captain, and poor flight supervision.