All 116 people onboard were killed Killing as a result of the crash Catastrophe .

All 229 passengers and crew onboard the MD-11 were killed Killing , making Causation the crash the deadliest McDonnell Douglas MD-11 accident in aviation history .

other major tenants have included Cause_to_be_included the 3rd id 's 4th ibct , 82nd airborne division advise & assist brigade , 332nd medical brigade , 321st sustainment brigade , vertical onboard delivery unk ( unk ) , unk , navy customs battalion juliet , elements of the iraqi army 's 7th division , and the united states air force ( usaf ) .

The accident Catastrophe was investigated Check by the Canadian Aviation Safety Board ( CASB ) , which determined Deciding the probable cause Causation of the crash Catastrophe was the aircraft 's unexpectedly high drag and reduced lift Motion condition , most likely due Causation to ice contamination on the wings ' leading edges and upper surfaces , as well as underestimated Judgment_communication onboard weight .

A minority report stated Statement that the accident could have been caused Causation by an onboard explosion Catastrophe of unknown origin prior to impact , with one of these dissenting investigators later telling Telling a United States congressional committee that it was impossible for a thin layer of ice to bring down the aircraft .

The crew ejected Removing , the aircraft broke up Destroying and four onboard nuclear weapons were released .

It was captured Arrest by the Spanish , who wanted to try the men onboard ( many of whom were American and British citizens ) as pirates and execute them .