What happened
During an approach to Munich-Riem Airport, the flight crew encountered challenging meteorological conditions characterized by fog and low cloud cover, which significantly restricted visibility. While performing the final approach, the aircraft descended beneath the established minimum descent altitude (MDA). This maneuver resulted in the aircraft type striking the runway surface.
The force of the impact caused the undercarriage to be ripped from the airframe. Following the collision with the ground, the plane slid along its belly for approximately 300 meters before reaching a complete stop. While there were 14 occupants on board, all individuals managed to evacuate the wreckage and sustained only minor injuries. The aircraft itself was determined to be a total loss due to extensive damage.
Findings
Investigations into the incident highlighted several critical errors regarding flight operations and preparation. A primary factor was the crew's decision to proceed with the approach after passing the MDA without having secured visual contact with the runway. The following contributing elements were identified:
- Inadequate planning for the approach and insufficient flight preparation
- Failure by the crew to execute a go-around procedure once visibility dropped below required levels
- Non-adherence to established approach checklists and published operational procedures
- Lack of proper certification for the crew to operate under such specific weather conditions
- Failure to follow approach checklists and maintain altitude constraints