What happened
During a local training session at Jeju-Jungseok Airport, the flight crew was navigating via the 'White 2' airway. During the approach, the captain decided to cancel the existing IFR flight plan and proceed using VFR procedures. While flying at an altitude of approximately 2,300 feet, the aircraft collided with the eastern slope of Mt Hallasan, which stands at a height of 1,950 meters.
The wreckage was later located roughly 8 km west of the airport at an elevation of about 700 meters. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and caused three injuries among the crew members.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the crew began their approach to Jeju-Jungseok Airport from a western direction, despite standard operating procedures requiring an approach from the north. This deviation occurred while visibility was significantly reduced by low cloud cover, which also obscured the peak of Mt Hallasan. The unauthorized approach direction during periods of poor visibility was a primary factor in the collision.