CIVIL AVIATION AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR 2008 1. INTRODUCTION The information contained in the publication is 59 th in the series. "Notifiable accidents", which took place in India during the year 2008, have been listed in a classified chronological order along with the summary and the cause of the accidents. There have been six accidents during the year. All the accidents have been investigated by Inspector of Accidents. Three of the accidents proved fatal wherein six crewmember and two passengers received fatal injuries. 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 16. NOTE: All timings given in this publication are in IST (Indian Standard Time). 1
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, selfinflicted 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: ii) An aircraft is considered to be missing when the official search has been terminated and the wreckage has not been located. Serious Injury: An injury which is sustained by a person in an accident and which: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Require hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within seven days from the date the injury was received; or Results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes or nose); or Involves lacerations which cause severe haemorrhage nerve, muscle or tendon damage; or Involves injury to any internal organ; or Involves second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than five percent of the body surface; or Involves verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation. 2
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, 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. 3
4. TYPES OF FLYING i) Airline Operation: The operation include all scheduled, non-scheduled and non-revenue flying by Air India, Air India Express, Indian Airlines, Alliance Air, Jet Airways, Jetlite, MDLR, Kingfisher, Go Air, Spicejet, Paramount and Indigo. 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. 4
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION - 01 Bell-206 B III helicopter VT -DAK 2. Date and Time 18.01.2008; 1000 Hrs IST Approx 3. Location Infosys helipad, Mysore 4. Persons on board Crew 01 Passengers 04 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 01 6. Damage to Aircraft substantial 7. Pilot-in- Command Passenger 02 02 Others ----- Licence CHPL No. 795 Age 43 years approx. Total Hrs 3700 hrs. SUMMARY Bell-206B helicopter VT-DAK owned and operated by M/s Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd was operating a Charter flight from Jakkur Aerodrome- Mysore on 18.1.2008. There were five persons on board the helicopter including the pilot. The take-off from Jakkur aerodrome and en-route up to approach to land at Infosys helipad, Mysore was normal. The pilot experienced abnormal yaw to the right while at about 10 feet to the helipad. In order to offset it the pilot lowered the collective lever and applied left rudder. However helicopter continued to yaw right till contacted the ground. The helicopter got toppled to the left before it stopped. Two of the passengers were seriously injured however other occupants escaped with minor/none injuries. Helicopter sustained substantial damage. There was no fire. The probable cause of the accident: During landing pilot experienced loss of tail rotor effectiveness at hover and entered in to right yaw due changing wind conditions which resulted in loss of control and crash landing of helicopter. Wrong location of the windsock at the helipad was the contributory factor to the accident. Factor: Improper maintenance of the Helipad. 5
1. Aircraft Type Registration NON SCHEDULED OPERATION 02 Bell 430 helicopter VT-REO 2. Date and Time 03.08.2008; 15:57 Hrs IST Approx 3. Location Venketpuram, Andhra Pradesh 4. Persons on board Crew 02 Passengers 02 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 02 Passenger 02 Others ----- 6. Damage to Aircraft destroyed 7. Pilot-in- License CHPL No. 318/2 Command Age 62 years approx. Total Hrs 10906:10 hrs. SUMMARY Bell-430 helicopter VT-REO owned and operated by M/s Ran Air Services Ltd was operating a non-schedule flight from Hyderabad Begumpet Airport- Jagdalpur on 3.8.2008. There were 2 crew member and 2 passengers on board the helicopter. The pilot took off without any meteorological briefing even when they were operating the subject sector for the first time. It remained in contact with the Hyderabad ATC for about 27 minutes after take off. The crew encountered bad weather continuously kept descending the helicopter. It finally collided with the hill when descended below the minimum safe altitude due presence of bad weather. The helicopter got destroyed due impact and post impact fire. All the persons on board received fatal injuries. The probable cause of the accident: Helicopter descended below the minimum safe altitude due bad weather and collided with the hill en route. Contributory factors: 1. Crew did not obtain the meteorological briefing before departure. 2. Selection of the improper route by the crew. Factor: Pilot-Non adherence to laid down procedure. 6
FLYING TRAINING 01 1. Aircraft Type Cessna-152 Registration VT - ACC 2. Date and Time 14.03.2008; 12:00 Hrs IST Approx 3. Location Neera River near village Mekhli 4. Persons on board Crew 01 Passengers 01 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 01 Passenger Nil Nil 01 Others Nil Nil ----- 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial 7. Pilot-in- Command License PPL No. 6816 Age 23 years Total Hrs SUMMARY 275:15 hours Cessna-152 aircraft, VT-ACC owned and operated by M/s Carver Aviation was engaged in local flying training at Baramati airstrip on 14.3.2008. The training flight was authorized by the CFI for trainee pilot for one hour local Solo flying. There was another trainee student pilot on board the aircraft as a passenger. The pilot after reporting all operations normal from assigned altitude and radial, descended intentionally low close to the river. It came as low as 50 ft over the river. Subsequently the main landing gear got entangled in the high tension electric cable, running across the river, resulted in falling of the aircraft into the river. Both occupants on board were rescued with minor injuries. The aircraft got damaged substantially. There was no fire. The probable cause of the accident: The pilot failed to notice the high tension cables while indulging into low flying, as a result the main landing gear got entangled into the high tension electric cables and subsequently the aircraft fell into the river. Factor: Pilot i. Low Flying ii. Disregard of laid down procedure. 7
FLYING TRAINING 02 1. Aircraft Type Cessna-FA152 Registration VT-EMR 2. Date and Time 08.09.2008; 11:08 Hrs IST approx 3. Location Near Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad 4. Persons on board Crew 02 Passengers Nil 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew 02 Nil Nil Passenger Nil Nil Nil Others Nil Nil ----- 6. Damage to Aircraft Destroyed 7. Pilot-in- Command Licence CPL No. 5699 Age 26 years Total Hrs 390:30 Hrs SUMMARY Cessna FA152 aircraft VT-EMR owned by M/s Aero Club of India, New Delhi and operated by M/s Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy (APAA), Hyderabad was authorized for a circuit and landing exercise for one of the trainee pilot along with the API on 08.09.2008 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. During take off the aircraft consumed abnormally high length of runway for getting airborne and the rate of climb was also very less after take off. Subsequently it took a sharp left turn and got stalled thereafter. The aircraft could not recover from the stall and continuous kept losing the height and crashed on a small road in a thickly populated area. The aircraft got destroyed due impact and post impact fire. Both the crew were seriously injured due impact and fire and succumbed to the injuries while being taken to the hospital. The probable cause of the accident: Sharp turn at low height caused stalling and subsequently crash landing of the aircraft. Non adherence of recommended operating procedure was the contributory factor. Factor: Pilot-Non adherence to laid down procedure. 8
1. Aircraft Type FLYING TRAINING 03 Trinidad TB-20 Registration VT-IGC 2. Date and Time 1230 Hrs IST; 29.12.2008 3. Location Karandi Dam, Vari Village, Gondia 4. Persons on board Crew 01 Passengers Nil 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None Crew Nil Nil 01 Passenger Nil Nil Nil Others Nil Nil --- 6. Damage to Aircraft Substantial 7. Pilot-in- Licence Students Pilot License (SPL) Command Age 19 yrs approx Total Hrs 71:00 Hrs SUMMARY TB-20 aircraft VT-IGC owned and operated by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy Furstaganj, Raebarelli, UP was authorized by the Pilot Instructor for solo general flying by a student pilot on 29.12.2008. The pilot flew in an un-authorized region at a very low altitude and touched the water. In the course of recovery he took a sharp left turn, to avoid tree ahead, and crash landed. The aircraft got substantially damaged however the student pilot survived the crash with minor injuries/bruises. There was no evidence of post or pre impact fire. The probable cause of the accident: Not adhering to the Standard Operating Procedure was the cause of accident. Using autopilot without functional knowledge and flying low so as to touch the water were the contributory factor for accident. Factor: Pilot-Non adherence to laid down procedure. 9
1. PRIVATE AND BUSINESS 01 Aircraft Type King Air C-90 Registration VT-EHY 2. Date and Time 29.10.2008 3. Location Near Sahnewal Airport Ludhiana 4. Persons on board Crew 02 Passengers Nil 5. Injury index Fatal Serious Minor/None 6. Damage to Aircraft Destroyed 7. Pilot-in-Command Crew 02 Nil Nil Passenger Nil Nil Nil Others Nil Nil --- Licence Age Total Hrs ATPL 62 yrs approx 3836 Hrs SUMMARY King Air C-90 aircraft owned and operated by Govt of Punjab was operating Positioning flight from Chandigarh to Ludhiana on 29.10.08 with two cockpit crew on board. The flight en-route up to overhead Ludhiana was uneventful. The crew located the runway late due prevailing Low visibility. They were not comfortable with the approach and made a go around; a non-standard go-around due to low visibility. In the anxiety to not to loose the sight of the field they descended in three orbits in the vicinity of the airfield on the west side of R/w 12, perhaps to land after making the short circuit from the right. However they lost the control and impacted with the ground in the steep left bank. Aircraft got destroyed crash due to impact and post impact fire. Both the occupant on board died due to fire and collapsing aircraft structure. Probable cause of the accident: The accident occurred due to loss of control while in base leg for landing at R/W 12 after executing go around on R/W 12. Contributory Factors: 1. Low visibility reduced the margin of safety, may have caused severe disorientation, influenced their decision and played on crew for use of non standard procedures. 2. Both the crew lacked qualification/experience and familiarity with the type of aircraft and terrain. 3. Smoke in the cockpit further reduced the margin of safety and distracted the attention of the crew. 4. Obstruction in the flight path made the crew to take severe action and led to loss of control. 5. Lack of operational control and supervision by the organization. Factor: Pilot-Lacked in training and experience. 10
Nature of Flight No. of Accidents TABLE 1 CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENTS (POWERED AIRCRAFT) BY NATURE OF FLIGHT FOR THE YEAR 2008 No. of Fatal Accidents Crew Passengers Others Aircraft Damage Killed Seriously Killed Seriously Killed Seriously Destroyed Substantial Minor Injured Injured Injured 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Airlines Operation Non Scheduled Operation Aerial Work Flying Training Private & Business` 02 01 02 02 02 01 01 03 01 02 01 02 01 01 02 01 Total 06 03 06 02 02 03 03 11
TABLE 2 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF AIR INDIA FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic / International Hours Flown (No.) 14784 / 130032 Passengers carried (No.) 333031/ 2579810 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 7579 / 97150 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 295766 / 15415210 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accident per 100,000 Hours flown TABLE 3 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF AIR INDIA EXPRESS FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 7074 / 57484 Passengers carried (No.) 169760 / 1984278 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 2826 / 39134 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 172296 / 5174624 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal 12
TABLE 4 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF INDIAN AIRLINES FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 129147 / 78811 Passengers carried (No.) 5569182 / 2248786 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 66522 / 53147 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 5648742 / 5303534 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal TABLE 5 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF ALLIANCE AIR FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 18146 Passengers carried (No.) 292711 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 7498 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 191180 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal 13
TABLE 6 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF JET AIRWAYS FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 188526 / 130706 Passengers carried (No.) 8720609 / 2951797 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 86689 / 93287 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 7597695 / 14303480 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal TABLE 7 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF JET LITE FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 73412 / 2228 Passengers carried (No.) 3174371 / 184290 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 38411 / 1106 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 3694096 / 139243 Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal 14
TABLE 8 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF MDLR FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 1712 Passengers carried (No.) 58997 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 687 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 36371 Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal TABLE 9 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF KINGFISHER FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 162405 / 1909 Passengers carried (No.) 7523103 / 18273 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 106620 / 1484 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 6527626 / 147390 Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal 15
TABLE 10 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF GO AIR FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 17105 Passengers carried (No.) 1362327 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 9643 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 1225568 Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal TABLE 11 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF SPICEJET FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 56875 Passengers carried (No.) 4069289 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 37288 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 4619694 Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal 16
TABLE 12 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF PARAMOUNT FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 12129 Passengers carried (No.) 648412 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 5739 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 310449 Accident rate per 100 million Km. Flown Fatal TABLE 13 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF INDIGO FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic Hours Flown (No.) 71544 Passengers carried (No.) 4746314 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 39057 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 4809090 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accidents per 100,000 Hours flown 17
TABLE 14 ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND FATALITY RATE OF AIRLINE OPERATORS FOR THE YEAR 2008 Scheduled Domestic/ International Hours Flown (No.) 752859 / 401170 Passengers carried (No.) 36668106 / 9967234 Kilometers flown (in thousand) 408559 / 285308 Passenger Kilometers flown (in thousand) 35128573 / 40483481 Accident rate per 100 million Km. flown Fatal Accidents per 100,000 Hours flown TABLE - 15 POWERED AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS BY CLASS OF PILOTS LICENCE (PIC) FOR THE YEAR 2008 CLASS OF LICENCE HELD TOTAL ACCIDENTS FATAL ACCIDENTS SPL PPL 01 01 CPL/CHPL 03 02 ALTP 01 01 TOTAL 06 03 18
TABLE - 16 AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS BY PHASE OF OPERATION FOR THE YEAR 2008 PHASE OF OPERATION TOTAL INVOLVEMENT STATIC PERCENTAGE TOTAL TAXI TAKE-OFF 01 16.66% OF IN-FLIGHT 03 50% LANDING 02 33.33% 19