Punjab

On 29.10.2008 Punjab Government King Air C90 aircraft, VT-EHY met with an accident while operating flight from Chandigarh to Ludhiana. This accident was notified to DGCA by ATC at Ludhiana and Punjab Government officials shortly after the occurrence. The accident occurred when the aircraft was in the process of making second attempt for landing at Ludhiana Airport. The accident was investigated by Inspector of Accident under Rule 71 of Aircraft Rules, 1937. As per the obligations under ICAO Annex 13, notification was sent to USA, the country of aircraft manufacture, Canada, the country of engine manufacture and ICAO. Transport Safety Board Canada appointed an accredited representative and authorized engine manufacturer M/s P&W to associate with investigation of engines. Low visibility conditions were prevailing at Ludhiana at the time of accident. Due to which the crew located the runway late. They were estimating their position based on GPS. Though they did spot the runway at some stage of the approach, they lost sight of it again and were unable to locate it subsequently. They carried out orbits on the right side (East Side) of R/w 12 in an effort to visually locate the runway and then followed non standard procedure to land. Not comfortable with the approach, the crew decided to go around. Due to low visibility and that they probably did not want to lose the sight of the airfield, carried out non-standard go around. In their anxiety not to lose the sight of the field they descended in three orbits in the vicinity of the airfield on the west side of R/w 12, perhaps to land after making the short circuit from the right. However, due to smoke in the cockpit, severe disorientation, lack of qualification & experience on type of aircraft and on sighting the communication tower, the panic gripped the crew. In their anxiety, the control was lost and aircraft impacted the ground in the steep left bank. Aircraft was destroyed in the crash due to impact and post impact fire. Both the occupant on board died due to fire and collapsing aircraft structure.

In the evening, a formation of nine Antonov AN-32 operated by the Indian Air Force departed Chandigarh Airport for a training mission. While cruising by night, the n°3 in the formation mistook the first aircraft to be the second and elected to regain his position. Doing so, The AN-32 registered K2669 collided with another AN-32 registered K3055 that was positioned to its right. Following the collision, both aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wheatfield located near Boothgarh. Both aircraft were destroyed and all eight crew members (4 crew in each aircraft) were killed.

In the evening, a formation of nine Antonov AN-32 operated by the Indian Air Force departed Chandigarh Airport for a training mission. While cruising by night, the n°3 in the formation mistook the first aircraft to be the second and elected to regain his position. Doing so, The AN-32 registered K2669 collided with another AN-32 registered K3055 that was positioned to its right. Following the collision, both aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wheatfield located near Boothgarh. Both aircraft were destroyed and all eight crew members (4 crew in each aircraft) were killed.

Three minutes after its takeoff from Rawalpindi Airport, while climbing, the airplane went through a thunderstorm area. Due to heavy turbulences, the airplane went out of control, nosed down and eventually crashed in an open field located some 20 km southeast of Rawalpindi. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 30 occupants were killed.

The crew was completing a demo flight on behalf of the British manufacturer Britten-Norman. On final approach, during the last segment, the twin engine aircraft hit an obstacle located near the runway threshold and crashed. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

The aircraft was on a scheduled domestic flight from Amritsar to Srinagar. It took off at 1115LT with 29 persons on board and 7 minutes later it reported its position 25 miles from Amritsar. No further communication was received from the aircraft. Shortly after 1200 hours a report was received by telephone at Amritsar, stating that the aircraft had crashed in a field near the Sarna railway station, about five miles west from Pathankot. The crash took place at a point where the aircraft had to make a left turn of 70° to proceed on its normal course to Srinagar. Eyewitness evidence indicates that the aircraft made a left turn, went out of control and lost height rapidly. It then attained a climbing attitude, broke up and crashed to the ground, catching fire on impact. All 29 occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, both engines failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a field past the runway end. Both crew members were evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed.

En route to Srinagar, the aircraft encountered heavy turbulences when the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a field located about 10 km southeast of Pathankot. All 22 occupants were killed.