Event Details
The aircraft departed Cologne-Bonn Airport on a humanitarian flight to Bakhtaran, Iran. The flight was operated on behalf of the Swiss company Mexair and carried various goods destined for Kurdish refugees.
Accident Sequence
On approach to Bakhtaran Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and initiated a go-around procedure. A second attempt to land was also abandoned, followed by a third. During the fourth approach, the captain informed air traffic control that the aircraft was short on fuel and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed in an open field located 11 kilometers from the airport.
Casualties
Four crew members were killed in the accident, and six others were seriously injured.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the flight time between Cologne and Bakhtaran was five hours and 10 minutes. Following poor flight planning, the fuel quantity prior to departure from Cologne was insufficient in case of a diversion or possible go-around maneuver. At the time of the accident, the visibility was below minimums.