Accident Sequence
The descent to Santiago de Cuba-Antonio Maceo Airport was initiated at night under poor weather conditions. The flight crew was unable to locate the airport and abandoned the first approach, executing a go-around. A second landing attempt was similarly abandoned. During the third approach, conducted under visual flight rules (VFR), the crew failed to realize that the aircraft was not properly aligned with the runway. The aircraft struck the top of a hill at 280 km/h and crashed 4 km short of runway 27.
Rescue and Casualties
Two crew members and nine passengers were killed in the accident. Twenty other occupants were rescued from the wreckage, of whom twelve sustained serious injuries.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the crew's decision to complete the third approach under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions (instrument meteorological conditions, or IMC) caused the aircraft to deviate from the approach path and descend below the minimum prescribed altitude. The wreckage was found one kilometer to the right of the extended centerline of runway 27.