CIVIL AVIATION AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR 2003 1. INTRODUCTION The information contained in the publication is 54 th in the series. "Notifiable accidents", which took place in India during the year 2003 have been listed in a classified chronological order along with the summary and the cause of the accidents. There have been seven accidents during the year. All the accidents have been investigated by Inspector of Accidents. Four accidents have proved fatal resulting in death of 31 passengers and 06 crewmembers. One accident to MI 172 Helicopter VT-MAF operated by Mesco Airlines was more disastrous in which 27 persons were killed. Incidents such as precautionary landings, forced landings, aborted take off, air misses, 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 clubs and aerial operations is given in table 1 to 10. 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 aircrafts 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 hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within seven days from the date the injury was received; or b) Results in a fracture of any bone (except 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 percent of the body surface; or f) Involves verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation.
Rule 71 - Inspector's Investigation : 3. INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS (Aircraft Rules, 1937) 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, by 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 Investigations : 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 accessory 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 jeopardize 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, Alliance Air, SHOD (Indian Airlines), Jet Airways, Sahara Air and Air Deccan. ii) Non-Scheduled Operations: The operation includes all non-scheduled ferry; non-revenue, charter and test flying by other operators holding non-scheduled operators 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 licence 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.
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION 1 Bell 412 Helicopter VT- AZC 2. Date and Time 19.4.2003, at 10:39 IST approx. 3. Location At Juhu Airport, Mumbai. 4. Persons on board Crew 02 Passengers Nil. 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 2 Passenger Nil Nil Nil Others Nil Nil Nil 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial. 7. Pilot-in- Command Licence ALTP 2138 Age Total Hrs SUMMARY 48 yrs. Aprox 13947 Hrs. Bell 412 Helicopter VT- AZC operated by M/s Azal India (P) Ltd. was on a training flight on 19 th April 2003 at Juhu Airport, Mumbai. During the last exercise of the proficiency check, when the helicopter lifted upto a height of 4 feet, it started yawing to the right and became uncontrollable. The pilot tried to control the helicopter but after completion of three complete turns it fell on the runway. The helicopter sustained substantial damage while both the pilots could escape with minor injury. There was no evidence of fire at any stage. The probable cause of the accident was, The accident occurred on account of nonavailability of tail rotor control due dislodging of the linear actuator from its housing as it was not properly secured in its position during 3000 Hrs /5 yrs. Inspection schedule. Factor: Improper Maintenance Practice.
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION 2 Lama SA-315B Helicopter VT HIM 2. Date and Time 29.04.03, 0802 hrs IST approx 3. Location At Pirni village in Manali, HP. 4. Persons on board Crew 01 Passengers 03 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None 6. Damage to Aircraft Destroyed 7. Pilot-in- Command Crew 01 Passenger 03 Others Licence CHPL : 562 Age Total Hrs SUMMARY 35 yrs. approx 2635:00 Hours. Lama SA-315B Helicopter VT-HIM owned by M/s Helibernina Switzerland and operated by M/s Himalayan Heli Services Limited was on a sight seeing flight on 29.04.2003. The helicopter took off at 0745 hrs with 4 persons on board, including crew, from the operator s helipad base at Pirni village. At 0759 hrs, the pilot reported landing in 3 mins. Two minutes later he again reported, landing in one minute. After that there was no response by the pilot to the calls given by the Ground Personnel. As the helicopter became overdue, the ground personnel initiated Search & Rescue operation and found that the helicopter was crashed after hitting the cables of the trolley system used for transporting goods from higher altitude to lower altitude. The helicopter was destroyed and all the occupants received fatal injuries. There was no evidence of fire at any stage. The probable cause of the accident was, The helicopter hit the secondary cable of an existing Cable Trolley System, which the pilot probably could not detect in time while circumnavigating a hillock at low altitude during a sight seeing flight. Factor: Pilot Improper handling.
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION 3 MD 600 N Helicopter VT TTT 2. Date and Time 27.7.2003, 1420 IST approx 3. Location Near Bagalkot Helipad, Karnataka. 4. Persons on board Crew 01 Passengers 05 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 01 Passenger 05 Others 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial. 7. Pilot-in- Command Licence CHPL 384 Age Total Hrs 50 yrs. SUMMARY 3822.30 Hrs. MD 600 N Helicopter VT TTT operated by M/s Tata Tea Limited, Bangalore was operating flight from Hubli to Bagalkot on 27 th July 2003. The flight up till approach for landing at Bagalkot was uneventful. During down wind leg while negotiating the right turn towards helipad at low altitude and speed, the pilot was cautioned by one of the passengers about low speed of the helicopter. In order to increase the speed the pilot applied the cyclic full forward, in the process the helicopter lost considerable height. On realizing the loss of height the pilot operated cyclic stick to aft without increasing the power which resulted in chopping of tail boom. The helicopter became uncontrollably unstable and crashed in open field. The helicopter sustained substantial damage with minor injury to one of the passengers. Other persons could escape unhurt. There was no evidence of fire. The probable cause of the accident was, During the downwind leg at low altitude and low speed, pilot applied full forward cyclic stick followed by full aft cyclic which resulted in main rotor blades hitting and shearing off the tail boom. Helicopter crashed thereafter. Factor: Pilot Improper handling.
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION 4 MI 172 Helicopter VT MAF 2. Date and Time 11.8.2003, 1215 IST approx 3. Location Near Sagar Kiran Rig, Bombay High. 4. Persons on board Crew 04 Passengers 25 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 04 Passenger 23 02 6. Damage to Aircraft Destroyed. 7. Pilot-in- Command Others Licence ALTP (H) 11 Age Total Hrs 57 yrs. SUMMARY 7941.31 Hrs. MI 172 Helicopter VT MAF owned and operated by M/s Mesco Airlines was operating ONGC chartered flight Juhu Sagar Kiran Sagar Jyoti Juhu on 11 th August 2003. The helicopter was released after major maintenance on 11.8.2003. It took off at 1137 Hrs and operated Juhu Sagar Kiran sector uneventfully. After dropping the ONGC personnel at Sagar Kiran it took off at 1215 hrs with 25 passengers and 4 crewmembers onboard for Sagar Jyoti. Immediately after take off the helicopter started loosing height with spinning movement. The pilot could however regained little height but could not control the helicopter from spinning and crashed into the sea. There was no evidence of fire. The probable cause of the accident was, Loss of Directional control and lift immediately after take off leading to helicopter hitting the sea water and crashing into sea. The combined effect of maladjusted rudder controls and improper technique used for take off from the helideck in the prevailing wind conditions led to the loss of the directional control and lift after take off. Hasty actions by the crew to meet the call out and non confirming helideck in respect of obstructions requirements were the contributory factors. Factor: i. Improper Maintenance. ii. Improper handling by the pilot.
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION 5 Dauphin SA 365N Helicopter VT ELF 2. Date and Time 30.10.2003, 10:15 IST approx 3. Location Near Agatti Island. 4. Persons on board Crew 02 Passengers 03 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 02 Passenger 01 01 01 Others 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial. 7. Pilot-in- Command Licence CHPL 223 Age Total Hrs 59 yrs. SUMMARY 15484:00 Hrs. Dauphin SA 365N Helicopter VT ELF owned and operated by M/s Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd was engaged in inter island flight Kavaratti-Kadmath-Bangaram-Agatti- Kavaratti on 30.10.2003. The flight upto Bangaram was uneventful. The helicopter took off from Bangaram with 5 persons on board including the crews. While flying at 300ft and on close to Agatti, attention of the crews got diverted towards the disturbance of the seawater caused by the shoal of Dolphins. During the phase of distraction the helicopter got steered to right of its track with steep right bank due to inadvertent inputs to the flight controls which went unnoticed by both the pilots. The abnormal rate of descent triggered the warning but before the pilot could react the helicopter crashed in the sea. The probable cause of the accident was, the pilots, cruising at 300 feet, lost situation awareness as they had distracted their mind & attention towards a shoal of playful dolphin in deep sea & unintentionally maneuvered the helicopter into steep dive with right bank, over speeding the main rotor & plunging the helicopter in the sea. Non compliance of safety regulations by the operator/crew & incorrect crew combination have contributed to the accident. Factor: Pilot Improper handling.
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION - 6 Ecureuil AS 355-F2 Helicopter VT- DAY 2. Date and Time 10.12.2003, at 1045 IST. 3. Location Discoverer Oil Rig near Kakinada. 4. Persons on board Crew 02 Passengers Nil. 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 2 Passenger Nil Nil Nil Others Nil Nil Nil 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial. 7. Pilot-in- Command Licence ALTP 25 Age Total Hrs SUMMARY 49 yrs. Aprox 6368:35 hrs. Ecureuil AS 355-F2 Helicopter VT-DAY owned and operated by M/s Deccan Aviation (P) Ltd. was on an offshore operation on 10 th December 2003. The helicopter took off with three passengers and two crewmembers on board from Kakinada port to fly the passengers to Discoverer Rig. The flight upto Discoverer Rig was uneventful. While taking off from the Rig the aft end portion of the RH skid of the helicopter got hooked to the net laid down on the surface of the Rig. On pull up, during take off, the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the ground on the right side. Main rotor blades got entangled with the perimeter fencing and were sheared off. The helicopter was substantially damaged but the crews could escape with minor injuries. There was no evidence of fire. The probable cause of the accident was, The helicopter during take off rolled to the right with main rotor blades hitting the deck, when the pilot in command initiated take off as the starboard resonator blade got entangled in the rope of the helideck net. The pilot in command erred by landing with AS 355 helicopter on the helideck covered with Net and the Co-pilot did not inspect the starboard side resonator blade with relation to the Net prior to take off. Factor: Pilot Improper handling.
PRIVATE AND BUSINESS 1 1. Aircraft Type Bell 407 Helicopter Registration VT FJK 2. Date and Time 05.08.2003, 07:30 IST approx 3. Location Near Srinagar Aerodrome. 4. Persons on board Crew 01 Passengers 05 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 01 Passenger 04 01 Others 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial. 7. Pilot-in- Licence CHPL 261 Command Age 59 yrs. SUMMARY Bell 407 Helicopter VT- FJK owned and operated by Government of Jammu & Kashmir was operating Srinagar-Amarnath-Srinagar flight on 05.08.2003. The onward flight to Amarnath was uneventful. While returning from Amarnath when the helicopter was exiting the Gund Valley area to proceed to Srinagar, it was flown to hillock and became uncontrollable after colliding with Deodar trees and crashed in the hillock. All the six persons onboard the helicopter received serious injuries and five of them including the pilot died due injuries. There was no evidence of post or pre-impact fire. The probable cause of the accident was, The Helicopter was flown into a hillock in poor visibility condition on account of thick fog and low clouds and become uncontrollable on collision with trees and separation of tail rotor assembly. Deliberate violation of safety norms, fatigue and self developed compulsion to fulfill Amaranth pilgrimage mission without involving other Pilots from the organization are also considered to be contributory factors in the accident. Factor: Pilot Non-Adherence to Standard Safety Norms.
TABLE 1 CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENTS (POWERED AIRCRAFT) BY NATURE OF FLIGHT FOR THE YEAR 2003 Nature No. of No. of Crew Passengers Others Aircraft Damage of Flight Accidents Fatal Accidents Killed Seriously Injured Killed Seriously Injured Killed Seriously Injured Destroyed Substantial Minor/Nil 1 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Airlines Operation Non 06 03 05 27 01 02 04 Scheduled Operation Aerial Work Flying Training Private & 01 01 01 04 01 01 Business` Total 07 04 06 31 02 02 05
TABLE 2 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF AIR INDIA FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled, Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 15302/85321 Passengers carried (No.) 882274/2754383 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 8567/62066 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 844300/13556837 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accident per 100,000 Hours flown TABLE 3 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF INDIAN AIRLINES FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled, Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 85618/55756 Passengers carried (No.) 4111650/1593516 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 53592/31604 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 4285637/3664609 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown
TABLE 4 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF ALLIANCE AIR FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 33754 Passengers carried (No.) 1498797 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 16646 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 1079571 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown TABLE 5 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF JET AIRWAYS FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 140007 Passengers carried (No.) 6709035 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 73081 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 5656682 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown
TABLE 6 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF SAHARA AIRLINES FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 50315 Passengers carried (No.) 1711714 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 28944 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 2041360 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown TABLE 7 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF AIR DECCAN FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 2099 Passengers carried (No.) 47919 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 661 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 16717 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown
TABLE 8 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF AIR INDIA, INDIAN AIRLINES, ALLIANCE AIR, JET AIRWAYS, SAHARA AIRLINES AND AIR DECCAN FOR THE YEAR 2003 Type of Operation Scheduled Domestic & International Hours Flown (No.) 468172 Passengers carried (No.) 19309288 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 190861 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 31145713 Total Number of Accidents Number of Fatal Accidents Crew fatalities Passenger fatalities Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (crew) Fatality rate per 100 million passenger Km (passenger) Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accident per 100 million passenger Km flown Accident rate per 100,000 Hours flown Fatal Accidents per 100,000 Hours flown TABLE - 9 POWERED AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS BY CLASS OF PILOTS LICENCE FOR THE YEAR 2003 CLASS OF LICENCE HELD TOTAL ACCIDENTS FATAL SPL PPL CPL SCPL ALTP 3 1 CHPL 4 3 TOTAL 7 4
TABLE - 10 AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS BY PHASE OF OPERATION FOR THE YEAR 2003 PHASE OF OPERATION TOTAL INVOLVEMENT PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL STATIC TAXI TAKE-OFF 3 42.8 % IN-FLIGHT 3 42.8 % LANDING 1 14.4 %