The plane performed the flyover at 30 feet, skimmed the treetops of the forest at the end of the runway, and crashed to the ground—killing three passengers.
The crew applied full power and the pilot attempted to climb. However, the elevators did not respond to the pilot's commands, because the A320 computer system engaged its "alpha protection" mode (meant to prevent the aircraft entering a stall). Less than five seconds later, the turbines began ingesting leaves and branches as the aircraft skimmed the tops of the trees. The combustion chambers clogged up and the engines failed. The aircraft fell to the ground. [
Updated on 20 Mar 2016.