Narrative:Indian Airlines flight IC557 to Mangalore, India had to carry out three holdings over Mangalore NDB at 8000 ft due to low clouds and rain over the airport. At the time of landing, weather at Mangalore was below minima and the captain descended below the prescribed MDA to sight the runway.
During the first attempt to land on runway 27, the captain had to carry out a missed approach procedure as he failed to could not see the runway. During the second attempt, the captain could not align the aircraft properly until touchdown and the aircraft went off the runway immediately after touchdown.
The left-hand main landing gear collapsed rearwards during the landing roll, due to impact with a VASI light platform.
There was no fire and all members of the crew and passengers escaped unhurt.
Probable Cause:
The cause of the accident has been attributed to the Commander's attempt to land under weather conditions which were below the laid-down minima, due to which he could not align the aircraft properly on the runway heading and hence could not control it after touchdown on a wet runway.
Classification:
Runway excursion
Sources:
» Civil aircraft accidents 1979 / Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, CAD, ASD
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Bangalore-Hindustan Airport to Mangalore-Bajpe Airport as the crow flies is 299 km (187 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.