It was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas in 1996 and had logged 4929 airframe hours in 7736 takeoff and landing cycles.

Shortly after landing, at 12:36 local time, an explosion was heard in the front section of the passenger cabin, followed by smoke and then fire.

Initial findings revealed that the factors involved in the accident were not solely related to aviation safety.

The investigation later revealed that Ku Chin-shui, who was absent from the flight, had given bottles of flammable liquid to his nephew to transport.

An Aviation Safety Council report said it was thought that the bottles were incorrectly sealed and gasoline fumes leaked, which later ignited when a motorbike battery in a nearby overhead luggage compartment was jostled, discharging an electric arc.