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West Bengal

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Calcutta

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1992 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-26154
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hanoi - Yangon - Calcutta
MSN:
51 01
YOM:
1977
Location:
Swarupnagar
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An Antonov 26 was ferried from Hanoi to Calcutta with a refueling stop at Rangoon. The aircraft took-off from Hanoi at 9:00 hours with estimated time of arrival Calcutta at 14:50 hours. On initial contact with Calcutta, the aircraft informed about minimum fuel on board and requested radar vectors for straight-in approach. However, Calcutta ATC did not pay much attention to the problems faced by the aircraft and made no serious attempt to assist the aircraft on radar. The pilot deviated from the track and became lost. The aircraft exhausted its fuel and force landed 28nm NE of Calcutta airport. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident caused by forced landing due to flight crew failure by carrying marginal fuel to reach Calcutta and not making use of correct navigational facility (EA NDB at Calcutta) combined with lack of assistance from Calcutta ATC by not providing radar facilities vectoring/VDF guidance and advising the aircraft to use NDB not having adequate range.

Ground accident of a Fokker F27 Friendship 100 in Calcutta

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1988 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
VT-DMB
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Calcutta - Biratnagar
MSN:
10172
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
PF701
Location:
Calcutta-Dum Dum
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
39
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
53680
Aircraft flight cycles:
51890
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Calcutta-Dum Dum in poor visibility, the aircraft collided with a catering truck. On impact, a part of the left wing was torn off and the aircraft came to rest. All 43 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. All three people on board the catering truck were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the driver of the catering truck failed to observe the ground markings and was unaware he was rolling on a taxiway. The lack of visibility was a contributory factor as the crew of the F27 was unable to see and avoid the truck.

Crash of a Hindustan Aeronautics HAL-748-2-247 in Jalanpur

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Hindustan Aeronautics HAL-748
Operator:
Registration:
H1520
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
558
YOM:
1974
Location:
Panagarh
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Jalanpur, about 20 km west of Panagarh Airport. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B in Calcutta

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1971 at 1458 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-12993
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Raipur – Calcutta
MSN:
00 347 307
YOM:
1970
Location:
Calcutta-Dum Dum
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Calcutta-Dum Dum on a ferry flight from Raipur. En route, he was informed that weather conditions worsened in Calcutta with a visibility limited to 2 km. While descending to an altitude of 1,830 meters, the wind component changed and the crew was vectored for an approach to runway 01R which was not equipped with an ILS system. On final approach, while at a distance of 4 km from the airfield, the airplane went through a low pressure area with heavy rain falls. At a distance of 900 meters from the runway threshold, at an altitude of 40/50 meters, the visibility dropped to zero due to torrential rains. ATC informed the crew about the minimums and the navigator advised the captain to initiate a go-around manoeuvre. But the captain continued the descent and passed below the glide until the aircraft struck the ground 198 meters short of runway threshold and 20 meters to the left of the centerline. It slid for several yards and came to rest in a swampy area. All seven crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The airplane entered an area of heavy rains falls, reducing the visibility to zero. In a very short time, the crew lost visual contact with the runway and all visual references with the ground as well, causing the aircraft to pass below the glide and to struck the ground. For unknown reason, the captain failed to initiate a go-around manoeuvre and ignored the different warnings from ATC and his crew. The fact that the crew was not aware about the non precision approach procedures for runway 01R remained a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL near Hasimara: 15 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1971 at 2039 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VT-ATT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Guwahati – Bagdogra – Calcutta
MSN:
20363
YOM:
1944
Location:
Hasimara
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a flight from Guwahati to Bagdogra, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed track for unknown reason and crashed in a mountainous area located near Hasimara, West Bengal. The wreckage was found six days later and all 15 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Antonov AN-22 in Panagarh: 25 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1970 at 1650 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-22
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-09305
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dhaka - New Delhi
MSN:
9340205
YOM:
1979
Location:
Panagarh
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Circumstances:
About 40 minutes after his departure from Dhaka-Tejgaon Airport, en route to New Delhi, the crew declared an emergency after a propeller detached and was rerouted to Panagarh, West Bengal. Unable to lower the gear and the flaps, the captain made a low pass (one meter) above the runway for two km when the right wing dropped and struck the runway surface. Out of control, the airplane crashed and caught fire. All 25 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of propeller blades which detached in flight for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 200 in Khulna: 44 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1969 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
VT-DOJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Silchar – Agartala – Calcutta
MSN:
10214
YOM:
1962
Location:
Khulna
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
Aircraft flight hours:
14221
Aircraft flight cycles:
12017
Circumstances:
While descending to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions over the border with Bangladesh when control was lost. The airplane crashed in an open field located in Khulna, some 55 km southeast of Dum Dum Airport and was destroyed upon impact. All 44 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by turbulences and severe downdrafts while flying in thunderstorm activity.

Crash of a Boeing 707-321C in Calcutta: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1968 at 0058 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Registration:
N798PA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Francisco – Honolulu – Hong Kong – Bangkok – Calcutta – New Delhi – Beirut – Istanbul – Frankfurt – London – New York
MSN:
18790
YOM:
1964
Flight number:
PA001
Location:
Calcutta-Dum Dum
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
53
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
5392
Captain / Total hours on type:
2475.00
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft christened 'Clipper Caribbean' was performing the westward Pan Am flight 001 from San Francisco to New York with intermediate stops in Honolulu, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Calcutta, New Delhi, Beirut, Istanbul, Frankfurt and London. Following an uneventful flight from Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport, the crew started the approach to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport by night and marginal weather conditions due to low clouds at 400 feet and rain showers. The crew deployed the flaps at 50° and continued the approach when he misunderstood the atmospheric pressure value transmitted by ATC. Instead of setting the QNH value of 993 mb, the crew set the QFE at 29,93, which caused the aircraft to descent 360 feet below the glide. It continued below the decision height until it struck tree tops located 1,128 meters short of runway threshold then impacted the ground and came to rest in flames one km short of runway. A crew member and five passengers were killed while 20 others were injured. 37 people were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the flying crew who misused the flaps. Misinterpretation of the approach QNH/QFE values on part of the crew which caused the aircraft to complete the approach below the minimum prescribed altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Calcutta

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VT-COU
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
13570
YOM:
1944
Location:
Calcutta-Dum Dum
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the right engine stopped. The copilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident is attributed to the pilot's action in simulating failure of the starboard engine during the final approach by feathering the propeller without the prior knowledge of the copilot who was handling the aircraft. The copilot was unable to control the aircraft which stalled and crashed. The captain was not authorized to check the capability of the copilot.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar in Barrackpore: 22 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Barrackpore – Bagdogra
Location:
Barrackpore
West Bengal
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Barrackpore Airport, while climbing, the airplane exploded and crashed into the Hooghly River. All 22 occupants were killed.
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