Narrative:
On its way from Trivandrum to Madras, the aircraft was cleared to descent from FL270. Shortly afterwards an explosion took place in the forward lavatory, causing a complete instrument and electrical failure.
The Boeing had to make a flapless landing at Madras (now Chennai). The aircraft touched down 2500 feet past the runway 25 threshold and overran. The right side of the plane caught fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Detonation of an explosive device in the forward lavatory of the aircraft. The aircraft overshot the runway due to high speed of touchdown, non-availability of reverse thrust and anti-skid system due to systems failure consequent on explosion."
Runway excursion
» Civil aircraft accidents 1979 / Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, CAD, ASD
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 26 April 1979 |
| Time: | 11:59 |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-2A8 |
| Operator: | Indian Airlines |
| Registration: | VT-ECR |
| MSN: | 20962/380 |
| First flight: | 1974-10-16 (4 years 6 months) |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 61 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 67 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Madras Airport (MAA) ( India)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Trivandrum Airport (TRV/VOTV), India |
| Madras Airport (MAA/VOMM), India |
On its way from Trivandrum to Madras, the aircraft was cleared to descent from FL270. Shortly afterwards an explosion took place in the forward lavatory, causing a complete instrument and electrical failure.
The Boeing had to make a flapless landing at Madras (now Chennai). The aircraft touched down 2500 feet past the runway 25 threshold and overran. The right side of the plane caught fire.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Detonation of an explosive device in the forward lavatory of the aircraft. The aircraft overshot the runway due to high speed of touchdown, non-availability of reverse thrust and anti-skid system due to systems failure consequent on explosion."
Classification:
SabotageRunway excursion
Sources:
» Aircraft hijackings and other criminal acts against civil aviation : statistics and narrative reports / FAA» 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 Trivandrum Airport to Madras Airport as the crow flies is 612 km (383 miles).
Distance from Trivandrum Airport to Madras Airport as the crow flies is 612 km (383 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.
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