What happened
During a scheduled military training mission involving a paratroop deployment, a single-engine aircraft was transporting two pilots and 13 Special Forces soldiers. Shortly after departing for the exercise, the flight crew determined that worsening weather necessitated an immediate return to Aranchi Airport.
As the aircraft performed its final approach, the crew encountered localized patches of fog that significantly obscured visibility. During this period of reduced sight, the aircraft descended below the safe altitude and struck the ground a few hundred meters before reaching the runway. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were 15 fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported.
Findings
- The flight was conducting a routine local paratroop training exercise.
- Reduced visibility caused by fog was a primary factor during the approach.
- The aircraft was operating in deteriorating weather conditions at the time of the accident.