Departure and Flight
The four-engine aircraft departed Bucharest-Otopeni Airport at 2316 local time on a cargo flight to Timișoara. On board were five crew members and four mechanics traveling to Timișoara to repair another aircraft.
En Route and Descent
While cruising at an altitude of 6,100 meters, the crew reported their position and an estimated time of arrival of 0003 local time. After receiving clearance to descend to 2,440 meters, the crew switched frequencies and contacted Timișoara Approach. Following passage over Faget, the crew was cleared to descend to 1,800 meters. Shortly thereafter, radar and radio contact were lost.
Crash and Impact
The aircraft struck the slope of a mountain in the Retezat Mountain Range, approximately 18 km northwest of Uricani and 130 km southeast of Timișoara Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause as controlled flight into terrain while descending by night in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). For unknown reasons, the crew initiated the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum prescribed altitude.