Chongqing - Shenzhen

On May 8, 1997 at 09:32 PM, Chongqing - Shenzhen experienced a crash involving Boeing 737-300, operated by China Southern Airlines, with the event recorded near Shenzhen-Bao'an (ex Huangtian), Guangdong Guangdong.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

74 people were known to be on board, 35 fatalities were recorded, 39 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 47.3%.

Crew on board: 9, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 65, passenger fatalities: 33, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to Shenzhen-Huangtian Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and turbulences. During the last segment, the aircraft was unstable but the crew continued the descent when the aircraft landed hard. The aircraft bounced and suffered undercarriage damages. Despite the situation, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure and increased engine power. During the second attempt to land, the crew encountered control difficulties as the aircraft suffered damages from the first missed landing. Also, weather conditions were poor so the aircraft was unstable on approach. After landing at an excessive speed, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a soft ground, broken in three and bursting into flames. Two crew members and 33 passengers were killed while 39 other people were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration B-2925, MSN 27288, year of manufacture 1994.