Aircraft Strikes Mount Kerkis During VFR Approach in IMC (SX-BGE)

Accident Overview

The crew initiated an approach to Samos Airport runway 09 under poor weather conditions. While flying under visual flight rules (VFR) in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), the aircraft struck the slope of Mount Kerkis, which rises to 1,430 meters and is located 25 kilometers northwest of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 34 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor and the mountain was shrouded in clouds.

Official Findings

The investigation determined that the crew began a VFR approach in IMC to runway 09 at Samos Airport. Standard approaches to Samos are conducted on runway 27 from the sea, but approaches to runway 09 could be completed if minimum visibility of at least 3.2 kilometers from the threshold was present. The following contributing factors were identified:

• Navigation error on the part of the crew, who deviated by 4 nautical miles from the approach route.
• VFR approach in IMC conditions.
• The weather radar in the cockpit was off at the time of the accident.
• The pilot-in-command was completing a steep turn when the aircraft impacted the ground.
• Lack of visibility due to low clouds.