Incident Overview
After being cleared for the approach, the crew descended the aircraft to 1,200 meters and then to 500 meters. While on the final approach segment and completing a last turn, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. The accident site was located 4,750 meters short of the runway threshold. The wreckage was discovered 735 meters to the left of the extended runway centerline. Both pilots and four passengers were killed, and eight other occupants sustained injuries.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation was unable to determine the exact cause of the accident with certainty. However, several findings were reported. It is believed that the crew was distracted during the last portion of the final approach. Night conditions led to a lack of visibility. The aircraft was not properly aligned on the approach path, and the crew failed to follow the published approach procedures. Notably, the crew did not pass over the outer marker, which resulted in an erratic approach trajectory. Additionally, the crew had switched seats, with the captain seated in the right front seat and the copilot in the left front seat—a practice prohibited in such operations. The radio altimeter alarm failed to sound due to incorrect settings. In the moments just before final impact, the aircraft banked left to an angle of 48 degrees and nosed down to an angle of 24 degrees.