At 11:16 p.m. Prestwick broadcast a morse message warning of the deteriorating weather, however as the "Nijmegen" had now switched over to voice contact the message would not have been received. On the approach they were told of the decreased cross-wind and decided to attempt a landing on the main runway after all. However, three miles out Parmentier decided that the wind was probably too strong for landing on the main runway and decided to overshoot and land on the alternate. He overflew Runway 26, the lights of which he could now see, climbed to a height of and extended the landing gear ready for landing. At this point they ran into what Parmentier believed was an isolated patch of cloud. However this was the actual cloud-base, which was now as low as in some areas. At this point the "Nijmegen" was headed directly for the power cables at which the crew believed to be substantially lower.