[1] The flight number 3456 is still used by China Southern and for the Chongqing-Shenzhen route but now with the Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft.

At 18:00, on 8 May, a severe weather warning was issued: "report to airports, air traffic controls and airline companies: Thunderstorm with strong winds will appear, all departments including the crew who will be taking off should be notified."

At 21:18:53, the crew advised ATC that they spotted the approach lightings, and the controller cleared the aircraft to land.

At 21:23:57, the crew informed the ATC they were on the downwind side, and requested other aircraft to clear off the airspace for Flight 3456's landing.

At 21:28:30, the aircraft skidded off the runway, broke into three pieces and caught on fire, killing 33 passengers and 2 crew members.

Debris from the nose gear was found scattered near the southern end of the runway, indicating the left front tyre had exploded during the first touch down.

Fallouts including rivets, metal sheets, rubber tube and retaining clip could also be found on the runway surface.

The central part of the fuselage and the trailing edge of the right wing received the most severe burning damage.

The front section of the fuselage was 12 metres (39 ft) long with nose pointing north, partially damaged, showing rolling and rotating trace but no signs of burning.