What happened
The incident occurred during a nighttime descent toward Titograd Airport. The flight was initiated from the south under poor weather conditions, specifically involving freezing fog and low visibility. While approaching the airport, the aircraft collided with the slope of Mt Rumija, which is situated approximately 25 kilometers south of the destination. Rescue teams located the wreckage several hours after the impact. All 23 occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the accident.
Findings
Investigations indicated that the crew was flying at an altitude that was too low for the approach, likely an attempt to maintain visual contact with the terrain. The combination of night conditions, clouds, and fog significantly reduced visibility, which was identified as a major contributory factor to the controlled flight into terrain. Additionally, investigators could not rule out the possibility that an altimeter malfunction played a role in the accident.