What happened
During a nighttime approach to Damascus International Airport, an aircraft impacted the ground at an altitude of 605 meters AMSL. The impact occurred in a desert region situated roughly 18 km from the airport, causing the plane to burst into flames. At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions were considered optimal, featuring excellent visibility and winds originating from 230° at 10 knots.
Emergency responders reached the crash site approximately 30 minutes after the event. While two passengers were successfully rescued from the wreckage, the remaining 126 occupants of the aircraft perished in the accident. The deceased included individuals from several nations, specifically 67 Czechs, 55 Syrians, 3 Poles, and one person from East Germany.
Findings
While investigators were unable to establish a definitive cause for the crash, evidence suggests that the crew may have utilized an incorrect altimeter setting due to a confusion between QNH and QFE pressure values during the approach.