Narrative:
The Caravelle undershot runway 28 in conditions of poor visibility. The aircraft struck a cement pillar and other obstructions and caught fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Government has accepted that the aircraft undershot and crashed as a result of the abandonment of the ILS approach at too early a stage during an attempt to land under conditions of poor visibility in fog.
Contributory causes: 1) Lack of information with the pilot regarding the true conditions of surface visibility, which was in fact below the minimum prescribed for a night landing by Caravelle aircraft on runway 28 at Palam. 2) Lack of proper monitoring and possibly incorrect setting of altimeter(s) during the approach to land. 3) The use of landing lights which resulted in glare during the final stages of the approach in foggy conditions."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 15 February 1966 |
| Type: |  Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VI-N |
| Operator: | Indian Airlines |
| Registration: | VT-DPP |
| MSN: | 130 |
| First flight: | 1964-01-06 (2 years 1 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 5411 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 73 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 80 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Delhi-Palam Airport (DEL) ( India)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Calcutta Airport (CCU/VECC), India |
| Delhi-Palam Airport (DEL/VIDP), India |
The Caravelle undershot runway 28 in conditions of poor visibility. The aircraft struck a cement pillar and other obstructions and caught fire.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Government has accepted that the aircraft undershot and crashed as a result of the abandonment of the ILS approach at too early a stage during an attempt to land under conditions of poor visibility in fog.
Contributory causes: 1) Lack of information with the pilot regarding the true conditions of surface visibility, which was in fact below the minimum prescribed for a night landing by Caravelle aircraft on runway 28 at Palam. 2) Lack of proper monitoring and possibly incorrect setting of altimeter(s) during the approach to land. 3) The use of landing lights which resulted in glare during the final stages of the approach in foggy conditions."
Classification:
Undershoot/overshoot
Sources:
» ICAO Circular 88-AN/74 Volume II (64-74)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 Calcutta Airport to Delhi-Palam Airport as the crow flies is 1305 km (816 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Calcutta Airport to Delhi-Palam Airport as the crow flies is 1305 km (816 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.
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