Accident Description
An aircraft on a flight from Vientiane to Sam Neua encountered poor weather conditions during the leg. While en route, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain situated in the Sam Neua region. The impact destroyed the aircraft, resulting in the deaths of all 12 occupants on board.
Investigation Findings
Investigators examined the circumstances of the accident. They determined that the flight was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) into deteriorating weather. The crew continued the flight despite the adverse conditions and did not turn back or divert when the weather worsened. This failure to return was cited as the reason for the accident.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident is that the crew was flying under VFR mode into adverse weather and failed to return when conditions worsened.