Mumbai | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff by night, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right, stalled and crashed by a 30° nose down angle in Korangi Creek. All 23 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor and weather conditions were considered as marginal.

Probable cause:

The loss of control was most likely caused by inadequate illumination of the flying instruments due to faults in the lighting system. The captain was seriously at fault in deciding to takeoff for a night flight in bad visibility after his instrument panel lighting had proved unserviceable, and before a thorough check be made.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Mumbai

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

MW293

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Mumbai - Mumbai

MSN:

SET17

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a training flight in Bombay-Santa Cruz Airport, consisting of touch and goes. On final approach, the instructor voluntarily shut down one engine. During the last segment, the aircraft banked left and right and the control became difficult. In such conditions, the instructor decided to raise the undercarriage, increased power on the three remaining engines and started a go around. The aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface, slid on its belly for several yards and came to rest. All three crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30A Liberator in RAF Merryfield: 27 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1945 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated LB-30 Liberator

Operator:

Registration:

KH126

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Merryfield – Bombay

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Circumstances:

Shortly after liftoff from RAF Merryfield, while in initial climb, the captain made a turn to the left when the aircraft hit the slope of the Castle Hill located 4 miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 27 occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt L. Mielecki, pilot,
F/O G. T. Miers, copilot,
F/O S. Kleybor, navigator,
F/Sgt J. Anderson, flight engineer,
F/O A. Wize, wireless operator.
Passengers:
Sig R. O. Anderson,
Sig R. C. Anderson,
Sig J. H. Attwood,
Sig D. B. Benjamin,
Lt P. T. Biles,
Sig A. T. Birch,
Sig J. W. A. Brewis,
Cpt H. C. Buck,
Sig W. A. Charlton,
Sig A. E. Clark,
Sig L. J. Curry,
Sig H. Donovan,
Sig L. H. Downes,
Sig L. R. Dyer,
Sig P. B. Fairbairn,
Sig R. D. Farrance,
Dri B. W. Fox,
Sig F. W. Gent,
Lt A. G. Quick,
Maj H. W. G. Staunton,
Sig R. Williams,
Sig C. Williams.

Probable cause:

The captain completed the first turn to the left after takeoff at a too low altitude, about 800 feet instead of the minimum 1,500 feet as mentioned in the departure procedures. Low visibility due to poor weather conditions was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 Dakota III in Raitali: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

FL603

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Mumbai – Mauripur

MSN:

12013

YOM:

1943

Location:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft left Bombay-Santa Cruz Airport at 0725LT on a flight to Mauripur AFB in Karachi with a crew of three, six passengers, mail and freight. About thirty minutes later, a catastrophic failure cause the left engine to detach. A part of the left wing was sheared off and the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie in Raitali. All nine occupants were killed.
Crew (353rd Squadron):
F/O S. D. Woodman, pilot,
W/O J. P. Shanahan, navigator,
W/O P. W. Williams, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Bombay: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-15407

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Agra – Mumbai

MSN:

19873

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

On approach to Bombay-Santa Cruz, the aircraft exploded and crashed in a field located less than 10 km from runway threshold. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Percival P.10 Vega Gull in Jaipur: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Percival P.10 Vega Gull

Operator:

Patrick Randolph

Registration:

G-AEKD

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bombay - Jaipur

MSN:

K.28

YOM:

1936

Location:

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Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the airplane crashed upon landing at Jaipur-Sanganer Airport. The passenger Peter Quentin Reiss was seriously injured and the pilot Patrick Randolph was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Ambert

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Harrington R. Law

Registration:

G-EBYJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lympne - Bombay

MSN:

647

YOM:

1928

Location:

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Circumstances:

The pilot and owner Harrington R. Law departed Lympne on 24SEP1929 bound for Bombay, India. While cruising over the Puy-de-Dôme, between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon, he encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft came to rest in Ambert and was damaged beyond repair while the pilot was unhurt.

Probable cause:

Unknown technical problem.