Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during the monsoon season under challenging meteorological conditions, including low visibility and a significant tailwind. After aborting two initial landing attempts due to poor weather, the crew attempted a third landing on Runway 10. The aircraft crossed the threshold at an excessive speed and altitude, touching down well beyond the designated touchdown zone. Despite the First Officer (Pilot Monitoring) calling for a go-around, the Captain (Pilot Flying) continued the landing. The investigation highlighted a steep authority gradient in the cockpit, where the First Officer failed to take over controls despite recognizing the danger. Additionally, the Captain was found to have been taking un-prescribed anti-diabetic medication that may have caused subtle cognitive deficits. Systemic issues within Air India Express, including inadequate training, poor Crew Resource Management (CRM), and a lack of Onboard Performance Tool (OPT) for landing calculations, were also cited as significant factors.
Final Conclusions
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India concluded that the primary cause was the non-adherence to SOPs by the Pilot Flying, who continued an unstabilized approach and landed deep into the runway despite a mandatory go-around situation. Contributory factors included the PIC's overconfidence and possible cognitive impairment from un-prescribed medication, poor CRM due to a steep authority gradient, and systemic failures in the airline's safety culture. The report specifically highlighted a faulty HR policy that left only one Captain against 26 First Officers at the Kozhikode base, creating roster pressure, and inadequate simulator maintenance that led to 'negative training'. The role of the Duty Air Traffic Controller in changing the runway to accommodate a departure without fully considering tailwind impacts was also noted.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
CRASHED SECONDS AFTER LANDING! - The Tragedy of Air India Express 1344 — A detailed breakdown of the events leading to the runway excursion of Flight 1344 at Kozhikode's tabletop runway, exploring the pilot decisions and weather factors involved.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Former Indian Air Force pilot; 59 years old.
First Officer
32 years old.
Systems & Failure Modes
Short Field Performance (SFP) Package
A Boeing 737-800 equipment suite designed to improve takeoff and landing performance on shorter runways, which this specific airframe (VT-AXH) was equipped with.
Onboard Performance Tool (OPT)
A software tool used by pilots to calculate precise landing distances; its unavailability on this flight made it difficult for the crew to accurately assess the risks of landing in tailwind conditions.
Windshield Wipers
The investigation noted the suboptimal performance of the PIC's windshield wiper in heavy rain, which likely degraded visual cues during the final approach.
Interesting Facts
- 01The flight was part of the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 02Kozhikode International Airport features a tabletop runway, which is located on a plateau with steep drops at the ends.
- 03The aircraft touched down with a tailwind of approximately 9 to 13 knots, exceeding recommended limits for the conditions.
- 04The Pilot in Command had landed at Kozhikode at least 27 times previously.
- 05The throttles were found in the fully forward position in the wreckage, which the AAIB interpreted as a possible late, instinctive attempt to go around after touchdown.
Safety Actions & Advisories
CRM Training Reform
The AAIB recommended that Air India Express overhaul its Crew Resource Management training to address steep authority gradients and empower First Officers to intervene.
Simulator Upgrade Requirements
Investigators called for improvements in pilot training programs, specifically addressing the maintenance and periodic system upgrades of flight simulators to prevent 'negative training'.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Evidence Tampering Allegations
Reference ↗Aviation safety experts, including a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, alleged that the accident site was not properly secured and that unidentified individuals were seen near the wreckage, potentially compromising evidence.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the entered by an editor.