Part 6/10:
Authorities initiated an investigation into the incident, led by Italy's Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority. Preliminary investigations quickly identified the primary cause of the accident as the impact with the bird flock during final approach. A total of 86 bird strikes were recorded.
However, a crucial question remained: Could the crash have been avoided? The investigation indicated that only seven or eight seconds before landing, the decision to perform a go-around led to further engine damage. If the pilots had continued with the landing, most damage could have been limited to the engine’s fan blades rather than the core, ultimately allowing a safe landing.