Investigation Summary
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-2A8 (MSN 20485/277) manufactured in 1971, was departing Runway 09 for a scheduled service to New Delhi. As the pilots initiated rotation, the aircraft failed to climb normally and entered a stall. Investigators discovered that a technical fault had prevented the leading edge devices from extending. These devices are critical for increasing lift during low-speed operations like takeoff and landing. Faced with severe vibrations and a failing climb, the flight crew initially raised the undercarriage but then realized the aircraft could not sustain flight. The captain decided to land back on the remaining runway surface, performing a belly landing with the gear retracted to maximize friction and deceleration. The Boeing 737 skidded approximately 3,080 feet (940 meters), overshooting the runway surface, crossing a drain, and traversing the airport's perimeter into rough terrain. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft. While 131 of the 132 people on board survived, the overrun proved fatal for one passenger and three individuals working on the ground outside the runway environment.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a technical fault that prevented the extension of the leading edge devices during the takeoff roll. This mechanical failure led to an aerodynamic stall during rotation, making a successful climb impossible. The crew's decision to abort and perform a belly landing was an attempt to mitigate the stall, though the resulting overrun led to fatalities both on the aircraft and the ground.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Leading Edge Devices
High-lift devices on the front of the wing that extend to increase lift at low speeds; their failure to deploy caused the stall during rotation.
Landing Gear
The crew intentionally retracted or kept the gear up (wheels-up landing) to increase friction and stop the aircraft during the aborted takeoff.
Interesting Facts
- 01The leading edge devices failed to extend during rotation due to a technical fault.
- 02The aircraft skidded for 940 meters (3,080 feet) during the overrun.
- 03Three of the four fatalities were ground casualties cutting grass near the airport fence.
- 04The aircraft involved was seven years and ten months old at the time of the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Leading Edge Device Monitoring
The accident highlighted the critical nature of leading edge flap and slat deployment on the Boeing 737. Subsequent safety reviews emphasized the importance of the 'LE FLAPS EXT' and 'LE FLAPS TRANSIT' indicator lights to ensure crews can verify configuration before and during rotation.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the wikipedia geotag.