Investigation Summary
The accident involved a 1946-built Avro York, registration G-AMUV, which was operating a non-scheduled international cargo service. While approaching the New Delhi area, the crew experienced a severe emergency when the number 1 engine (outer left) suffered an internal failure. This failure led to an engine fire that quickly spread. The intensity of the fire and the resulting damage made it impossible for the crew to maintain flight to their intended destination at Palam Airport. The captain opted for an immediate forced landing in the open fields of Gurgaon, approximately 15 kilometers south of the airport. The terrain was rough, causing the aircraft to break apart during the landing sequence. A post-crash fire immediately broke out, destroying the wreckage. The radio operator was the only person to survive the impact and subsequent fire. This event marked the first fatal accident in the history of Dan-Air Services.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause was a fire in the air resulting from an internal failure of the number 1 engine. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed by the combination of the break-up during a forced landing on rough terrain and the ensuing post-crash fire.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Rolls-Royce Merlin Engines
The Avro York was powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin liquid-cooled piston engines; the internal failure of the number 1 engine initiated the accident sequence.
Engine Fire Suppression
The in-flight fire following the internal engine failure was not contained, leading to the necessity of an immediate forced landing.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft's Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) was MW226.
- 02The aircraft was originally delivered to the Royal Air Force in February 1946 before being sold for civilian use in 1952.
- 03This was the first fatal accident in the history of Dan-Air Services.
- 04The radio operator was the sole survivor among the five crew members on board.
- 05The crash site was located approximately 15 kilometers south of New Delhi-Palam Airport.
- 06The aircraft was completely destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Emergency Forced Landing Procedures
Source ↗The accident highlighted the critical nature of immediate forced landing decisions when an in-flight engine fire cannot be contained by onboard suppression systems, especially when the aircraft is unable to maintain altitude to reach the primary diversion airport.