The aircraft was assigned the airport's runway 22 for the takeoff, but used Runway 26 instead. Runway 26 was too short for a safe takeoff, causing the aircraft to overrun the end of the runway before it could become airborne. It crashed just past the end of the runway, killing all 47 passengers and two of the three crew. It's the second deadliest accident involving the CRJ-100/-200 after China Eastern Airlines Flight 5210 two years before. The flight's first officer was the sole survivor.