What happened
During an approach to Prague-Ruzyne Airport, the flight was operating in challenging weather characterized by restricted visibility. While on final approach, the aircraft type was positioned too high above the established glide path. Rather than executing a missed approach, the crew elected to proceed with the landing.
As the plane reached an altitude of approximately 5 meters, the crew engaged the spoilers and decreased engine thrust. This action resulted in a rapid loss of altitude. The aircraft impacted the runway surface with a vertical acceleration of 4 g, which caused the airframe to break into two separate pieces. The wreckage eventually stopped in the middle of the runway.
All 81 occupants were successfully evacuated from the wreckage. Among those on board, 40 individuals sustained injuries during the incident. The aircraft was subsequently determined to be a total loss due to the extent of the structural damage.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the crew utilized an incorrect approach configuration. The decision to continue the landing despite being off the glide path was contrary to established flight procedures. Furthermore, the captain did not initiate a necessary go-around maneuver to safely recover from the unstable approach.