Flight Details
While descending to Santa Fe-Sauce Viejo Airport at night, the crew was informed about poor weather conditions at the destination. Visibility was estimated to be 30 meters in foggy conditions, well below established minima. Despite this, the crew elected to attempt an approach and was cleared for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 03.
Accident Sequence
On short final, the aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) and struck the ground 430 meters short of the runway threshold. Upon impact, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and slid for an additional 180 meters before coming to rest.
Aftermath
Both pilots escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the crew descended below the established minima during an instrument approach until the aircraft impacted terrain. Contributing factors included inadequate flight planning (reduced visibility at Sauce Viejo Airport was present from 01:00 hrs), an inappropriate request from the captain to attempt an approach in below-minima weather conditions, and the erroneous decision of the captain, knowing the meteorological conditions, to continue the approach below the decision height.