Cochin | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft departed Bangalore-Hindustan Airport runway 27 at 1514LT on a flight to Cochin with 3 passengers and one pilot on board. Six minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported technical problems and elected to return for an emergency landing. However, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the lakebed of the Gawdanapalya Lake located about 9 km southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine power loss during initial climb after the aircraft had been refueled with Jet fuel instead of Avgas 100LL.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The low experience of the pilot on type,
- The non-compliance of correct refueling procedure and its supervision by IOC personnel and pilot or operator's representative.

Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO228-201 in Cochin: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1998 at 1105 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO228

Operator:

Registration:

VT-EJW

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Agathi – Cochin – Thiruvananthapuram

MSN:

8075

YOM:

1986

Flight number:

LRR503

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5366

Captain / Total hours on type:

2271.00

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a flight from Agathi to Thiruvananthapuram with an intermediate stop in Cochin, carrying three passengers and three crew members. After takeoff from runway 17, at a height of about 400 feet, the aircraft pitched up steeply to a near vertical attitude and thereafter appeared to perform a manoeuvre similar to a stall turn to the right and crashed on the roof of the Component Repair Shop (CRS) building of the Naval Aircraft Yard. After impact the aircraft caught fire and was totally destroyed. All six occupants were killed as well as three people in the building. Six others received minor injuries.

Probable cause:

After take off the aircraft pitched up uncontrollably, stalled fell to its right and crashed. The uncontrollable pitch up was caused by sudden uncommanded downward movement of the Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer leading edge. This was due to partial detachment of its 'actuator forward bearing support' fitting due non installation of required hi-lok fasteners. Poor aircraft maintenance practices at Short Haul Operations Department contributed to the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Defender off Cochin

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

IN132

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cochin - Cochin

MSN:

875

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a maritime patrol flight when an engine lost power in flight. The pilot ditched the aircraft few km off Cochin. All three occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Loss of engine power for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander off Cochin: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

IN131

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

873

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea while conducting a maritime patrol flight. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.86 Express in Cochin

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1942

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.86 Express

Operator:

Registration:

HX789

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

2306

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on take off in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I in Cochin: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Supermarine Walrus

Operator:

Registration:

L2255

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a maritime patrol flight off Cochin, with a crew of three on board, all from the 'HMS Manchester' ship cruising offshore. While flying at low height along the shore, the seaplane collided with telephone cables and crashed into the harbor. Two crew members were killed while the third occupants was injured.
Crew:
2nd Lt John Frederick Repington Collins, pilot, †
2nd Lt Peter Noble Boxer, †
Lt Francis Myrddin Griffiths.

Probable cause:

Crew error.