CIVIL AVIATION AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR 1995
1. INTRODUCTION
The information contained in the publication is 46th in the series. "Notifiable accidents", which took place in India during the year 1995 have been listed in a classified chronological order along with the summary and the cause of the accidents.
There have been 6 accidents during the year. One accident has been investigated by the Court of Inquiry. Remaining 5 accidents have been investigated by Inspectors of Accidents. Three accidents proved fatal resulting in death of 4 persons including 2 crew members.
Incidents such as precautionary landings, forced landings, aborted take off, airmisses, bird strikes etc. are not listed in this publication, although all these have been investigated.
The recommendations emanating from all such investigations of accidents and incidents are being implemented for enhancing the level of air safety. Statistical data of accidents and fatalities in respect of airlines operations including flying/gliding clubs and aerial operations is given in tables 1.
NOTE : All timings given in this publication are in IST (Indian Standard Time). 2. DEFINITIONS i) Accident:
An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, in which:-
a) A person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of being in the aircraft, or direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become detached from the aircraft, or direct exposure to jet blast, except when the injuries are from natural causes, self-inflicted or inflicted by other persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to the passengers and crew; or
b) The aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected components, except for engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to the engine, its cowlings or accessories; or for damage limited to propellers, wing tips, antennas, tyres, brakes, fairings, small dents or puncture holes in the aircraft skin; or
c) The aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.
NOTE: An aircraft is considered to be missing when the official search has been terminated and the wreckage has not been located.
ii) Serious Injury:
An injury which is sustained by a person in an accident and which:
a) Require hospitalisation for more 48 hours, commencing within seven days from the date the injury was received; or
b) Results in a fracture of any bone(accept simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose);or
c) Involves lacerations which cause severe haemorrhage nerve, muscle or tendon damage; or
d) Involves injury to any internal organ; or
e) Involves second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than five per sent of the body surface; or
f) Involves verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation.
3. INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS (Aircraft Rules, 1937)
Rule 71-Inspector's Investigation :
The Director General may order the investigation of any accident involving an aircraft whether such accident is required to be notified under Rule 68 or not and may be general or special order appoint any person(hereinafter referred to as an "Inspector of Accidents" for the purpose of carrying out such investigation.
Rule 74-Committee of Inquiry:
The Central Government may at its discretion appoint a committee of inquiry composed of two or more persons to hold an inquiry into an accident in which an aircraft is involved and such a committee shall have the same powers as an Inspector of Accidents.
Rule 75-Formal Investigation:
Where it appears to the Central Government that it is expedient to hold a formal investigation of an accident it may, whether or not an investigation or an inquiry has been made under Rule 71 or 74, by order direct a formal investigation to be held.
The Central Government shall appoint a competent person(referred as Court) to hold the investigation and may appoint one or more persons possessing legal, aeronautical engineering or other special knowledge to act as accessors to the Court.
The Court shall hold the investigation in open Court in such manner and such conditions as the Court may think fit for ascertaining the causes and circumstances of the accident and for enabling it to make the report hereinafter mentioned:
Provided that where the Court is of opinion that holding the investigation is likely-
a) To be prejudicial to the interests of any country; or
b) To jeopardise the personal safety of a person who is willing to make any statement or give evidence, the Court may hold in camera, the whole or part of the investigation.
4. TYPES OF FLYING
i) Airline Operation:
The operation include all scheduled, non-scheduled and non-revenue flying by Indian Airlines, Air India, Vayudoot and Air Taxi Operators.
ii) Non-Scheduled Operations:
The operation include all scheduled, non-scheduled ferry, non-revenue, charter and test flying by other operators holding non-scheduled operator permit and engaged primarily in such operations.
iii) Flying Training:
Includes all flights for the purpose of initial issue of a flying licence, for conversion and practice flying or qualifying for renewal/endorsement of pilots license and test and ferry flying by organisation engaged primarily in flying training.
iv) Aerial Work:
Includes aerial survey, aerial, mustering on a commercial basis, aerial ambulance, aerial agricultural operations etc. and test and ferry flying by organisation engaged principally in aerial work operations.
v) Private and Business:
Includes private, pleasure and business flying and practice flying when the flying is not directly connected with the purposes of obtaining a higher licence qualifications.
AIRLINE OPERATION - 1
1. AIRCRAFT : Type : F-27 Registration : VT-EWE
2. DATE AND TIME : 1.7.1995; 8:40 Hrs. IST
3. LOCATION : Baroda
4. TYPE OF OPERATION : Training Flight
5. PERSONS ON BOARD : 3
6. INJURY INDEX : Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 1 Pax Nil Nil 2 Others Nil - -
7. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT : Substantial
8. PILOT-IN-COMMAND : Licence : ALTP Age : N/A Total Hrs : 9360 Hours
SUMMARY
East West F-27 aircraft was engaged in a training flight at Baroda airport on 1.7.1995. The aircraft was under the command of an Examiner pilot with the trainee pilot on right hand seat. The first touch and go exercise was uneventful. During the second exercise, immediately on touchdown the left main landing gear failed at its shock strut outer cylinder and the inner cylinder with the main wheel assembly attached to it got liberated. The aircraft continued moving forward with the remaining portion of left shock strut contacting the runway followed by the left engine propellers and fuselage bottom and finally came to rest on the runway left side strip. There was no fire and no injury to persons on board the aircraft. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The probable cause of accident has been attributed to :
"The accident occurred during aircraft touchdown due to liberation of the sliding piston along with the wheels of the left main landing gear as a result of failure of the locking arrangement on the piston top end.
Non-compliance by the operator of the Service Bulletin issued by the Manufacturer and Mandatory Modifications issued by the DGCA regarding piston-adapter and dowel pin lock fitment, is the Contributory Factor in the accident". Factors : Other Personnel - Inadequate Inspection AIRLINE OPERATION - 2
1. AIRCRAFT : Type : B-737 Registration : VT-ECS
2. DATE AND TIME : 2.12.1995; 12:53 Hrs. IST
3. LOCATION : Delhi
4. TYPE OF OPERATION : Scheduled
5. PERSONS ON BOARD : 108
6. INJURY INDEX : Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 6 Pax Nil Nil 102 Others Nil - -
7. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT : Substantial
8. PILOT-IN-COMMAND : Licence : ALTP Age : 34 Years Total Hrs : 6088 Hours
SUMMARY
Indian Airlines B-737 aircraft VT-ECS was operating flight IC-492 of 2.12.95 under the command of Capt. Adil Mistry with co-pilot Sandeep Marwah and four cabin crew. The flight upto Jaipur was uneventful. Aircraft took-off from Jaipur with 98+4 passengers. Aircraft landed at Delhi at 1253 hrs. After landing the aircraft could not be stopped within the available runway length and went beyond the runway into kutcha. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was minor fire. Six passengers received minor injuries.
The probable cause of the accident has been attributed to :
"The accident was caused by the combined effect of (a) The injudicious and imprudent decision of the Pilot-in-Command to hastily complete the flight in the inadequate time available before the notified closure of Delhi airport for a VVIP flight, (b) The dangerously unstabilised approach made by the Pilot-in- Command, primarily due to his failure to decelerate the aircraft in time, (c) The failure of the First Officer to call out significant deviations from the stipulated approach parameters, (d) The failure of the Pilot-in- Command to carry out a missed approach in spite of his approach being grossly unstabilised, (e) The inadvertent omission of the Pilot-in-Command to arm the speed brake before landing, (f) Touch-down of the aircraft at excessive speed and too far down the runway, (g) Failure of the First Officer and Pilot-in- Command to monitor the automatic deployment of the speed brake, and failure of the Pilot-in-Command to deploy it manually, (h) Impact of the aircraft with an 18-inch high cement-concrete cable duct in the kutcha ground beyond the over-run area".
Factor : Pilot - Disregard of procedures, regulations and instructions. FLYING TRAINING - 1
1. AIRCRAFT : Type : Cessna 152 Registration : VT-BKS
2. DATE AND TIME : 19.3.1995; 11:03 IST
3. LOCATION : Village Lasudiamori, Distt. Devas, 8 nautical miles East of Indore
4. TYPE OF OPERATION : Training Flight
5. PERSONS ON BOARD : Two
6. INJURY INDEX : Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 1 Pax Nil Nil 1 Others Nil - -
7. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT : Substantial
8. PILOT-IN-COMMAND : Licence : PPL Age : 20½ Years Total Hrs : 162 Hours
SUMMARY
Cessna 152 aircraft VT-BKS belonging to Udan Academy was engaged in a cross country training flight from Indore-Salamatpur-Indore on 19.3.1995. During its inbound flight approx. 25 NM from Indore the pilot experienced power loss and at about 20 nautical miles inbound, the propellers stopped. The engine restart attempts were made by the pilot during which there was intermittent engine power available. However, the aircraft could not sustain the forward flight due to non-availability of engine power and the pilot force landed in an open field. There was no fire and both the occupants on board escaped unhurt. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The probable cause of accident has been attributed to :
"The cause of accident in which the aircraft force landed is attributed to engine stoppage in flight, as a result of fuel starvation due inadequate fuel on board for planned flight. The Instructor Pilot and the involved Pilot prior to commencement of the flight did not ensure the exact quantity of fuel on board".
Factors : Pilot - Disregard of procedures, regulations and instructions. FLYING TRAINING - 2
1. AIRCRAFT : Type : Puskpah MK-I Registration : VT-DQT
2. DATE AND TIME : 24.8.1995; 8:06 hours IST
3. LOCATION : Coimbatore
4. TYPE OF OPERATION : Training Flight
5. PERSONS ON BOARD : Two
6. INJURY INDEX : Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 1 Nil Nil Pax 1 Nil Nil Others Nil - -
7. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT : Substantial
8. PILOT-IN-COMMAND : Licence : CPL Age : 49 Years Total Hrs : 1173 Hours
SUMMARY
Pushpak aircraft VT-DQT belonging to Coimbatore Aviation Training Academy was engaged in a C of A renewal flight at Coimbatore on 24.8.95. The aircraft was under the command of Capt. Babu C. Mulk with Sh. S. Kari Varadhan as observer. The aircraft took off at 0225 UTC from coimbatore Aerodrome. After take-off, the aircraft lost control and crashed in a 'Nose Down' attitude in a ploughed land at Kalapatti near Coimbatore. There was no fire. Both the occupants on board received fatal injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
The probable cause of accident has been attributed to :
"The accident occurred due to stalling of the aircraft when the pilot attempted to clear the obstacle in the flight path during forced landing after inflight stoppage of the engine. The engine stopped in flight due to fuel starvation as a result of transfer of fuel from main tank to the auxiliary tank due to fuel transfer valve remaining in open position inadvertently".
Factors : Pilot - Operation of Equipment FLYING TRAINING GLIDING - 1
1. AIRCRAFT : Type : ITG-3 Glider Registration : VT-GAR
2. DATE AND TIME : 4.6.1995; 9:34 Hrs. IST
3. LOCATION : Pune
4. TYPE OF OPERATION : Hobby Flying
5. PERSONS ON BOARD : One
6. INJURY INDEX : Fatal Serious Minor/ None
Crew 1 Nil Nil Pax Nil Nil Nil Others Nil - -
7. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT : Substantial
8. PILOT-IN-COMMAND : Licence : GPL Age : N/A Total Hrs : 25:28 Hours
SUMMARY
ITG-3 glider VT-GAR belonging to Gliding Centre, Pune was engaged in a hobby flying at Gliding Centre, Pune on 4.6.1995. The glider earlier on that day had uneventfully completed 7 launches which were undertaken by a hobby flier Mr. Bhalekar. During the 8th launch which was undertaken by another hobby flier Mr. Anup Singh, while on its take-off launch, the glider spun down and impacted ground. The glider sustained substantial damage as a result of its impact with the ground and the sole occupant received fatal injuries.
The probable cause of accident has been attributed to :
"The glider during launch had experienced failure of the left wing strut attachment fitting as a result of which the left wing folded upwards in-flight and the glider becoming uncontrollable fell down from a height and impacted ground.
The left wing strut attachment fitting failed at its welded portion due fatigue caused by the presence of welding flaws and corrosion layers".
Factors : Other Personnel - Improper Maintenance PRIVATE - 1
1. AIRCRAFT : Type : Hiller Helicopter Registration : VT-JKS
2. DATE AND TIME : 1.3.1995; 16:55 Hrs. IST
3. LOCATION : Katihar (Bihar)
4. TYPE OF OPERATION : Private
5. PERSONS ON BOARD : 3
6. INJURY INDEX : Fatal Serious Minor/ None Crew Nil Nil 1 Pax Nil Nil 2 Others 1 - -
7. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT : Minor
8. PILOT-IN-COMMAND : Licence : CPL(H) Age : 48 Years Total Hrs : 6783 Hours
SUMMARY
Hiller helicopter VT-JAK of MESCO Airlines was positioned in Patna for election campaign. On 1.3.1995, the helicopter was engaged in a flight from Patna-Saharsa-Tribenegunj-Shingheswar- Kumarkhand-Bhargava-Jokihal-Purnia -Kursela -Katihar. After the helicopter landed at Katihar and the passengers disembarked a loud thud was heard from the rear of the helicopter. It was noticed that a police personal was lying underneath the tail rotor and bleeding profusely who later died. There was no fire. The helicopter sustained minor damage.
The probable cause of the accident has been attributed to :
"The Police Hawaldar Md. Irdis due to his ignorance and under adverse circumstances had innocently moved into the rotating tail rotor disc while he was on duty to barricade the Helipad".
Factors : Miscellaneous - Personnel Table 1
CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENTS (POWERED AIRCRAFT) BY NATURE OF FLIGHT
______
NATURE OF FLIGHT NO. OF NO. OF CREW PASSENGERS OTHERS AIRCRAFT DAMAGE ACCIDENTS FATAL ------ACCIDENT Killed Seriously Killed Seriously Killed Seriously Destroyed Substantial Minor/ Nil
______
Airline Operation 2 ------2 -
Non-Scheduled ------Operation
Flying Training 2 1 1 - 1 - - - - 2 -
Aerial Work ------
Private & Business 1 1 - - - - 1 - - - 1 ______