Air India Plane Crash Report

Air India Plane Crash Report: What Truly Occurred in Kozhikode

When Air India Express Flight IX 1344 crashed at Kozhikode Airport in Kerala, India, on August 7, 2020, a tragedy occurred. This aircraft, which carried 190 people—passengers and crew—from Dubai to Kozhikode as part of the Vande Bharat Mission, which was designed to repatriate Indians who had become stuck during the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Crash

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800, which attempted to land amidst heavy rainfall on a tabletop runway—a runway type constructed on elevated land with steep drop-offs at both ends. Following an unsuccessful landing attempt, the pilots made another try. Unfortunately, the aircraft landed too far down the runway, failed to stop in time, and skidded off the edge, resulting in it breaking into two sections.

Regrettably, 21 individuals lost their lives, including both the captain and first officer, while over 75 others sustained serious injuries.

What the Investigation Discovered

An official report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) disclosed several critical findings:

Pilot Judgment: The captain proceeded with the landing despite adverse weather conditions and tailwinds, which contravened standard operating procedures.

Late Touchdown: The aircraft made contact with the runway too far along its length, leaving insufficient distance to stop safely.

Weather Conditions: Rain and reduced visibility exacerbated the dangers associated with the landing.

Runway Design: Kozhikode’s runway’s tabletop layout increased the possibility of disaster in the case that any mistakes or miscalculations were made.

Safety Issues and Recommendations

The report also proposed measures to prevent similar incidents in the future:

Pilots should adhere to established landing protocols, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

Airports featuring tabletop runways ought to implement safety systems such as EMAS (a material designed to halt overshooting aircraft).

Runways should undergo regular cleaning and grip testing, especially during the rainy season.

Enhanced training for pilots on challenging landing scenarios.

Why It Matters

The Kozhikode crash has raised international concerns regarding runway safety, particularly in difficult locations such as hilltop airports. It also underscored the significance of stringent safety measures in aviation.