Vietnam Airlines Flight 815 - Investigation

Investigation

Pilot error was later identified as the cause of the crash; the pilot continued his landing descent from an altitude of 2,000 metres to 30 metres even though the runway was not in sight, and ignored pleas from his first officer and flight engineer to turn back. When the aircraft hit the trees, the pilot finally realized the runway was not in sight and tried to abort the approach; the flight engineer pushed for full power, but the aircraft lost control and veered right; the right engine then stalled, making it impossible to gain lift.