S2-117
1994-MAR-08 · Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India

Sahara India Airlines (JetLite) — Flight S2-117

A Boeing 737-200 on a training flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Delhi Airport, striking an Aeroflot Ilyushin Il-86 parked on the apron. The accident was caused by improper application of rudder during a simulated engine failure exercise.

Aircraft
Boeing 737-2R4C
Registration
VT-SIA
Phase
Initial Climb
Cause
Pilot Error
Souls on Board
4
Fatalities
8
Origin → Dest
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi → Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
Report
Final Report

Investigation Summary

The flight was a training exercise intended to practice 'touch-and-go' landings and engine-out procedures. During the climb-out from Runway 28, the instructor pilot simulated a failure of the left engine. The trainee pilot applied incorrect rudder input, causing the aircraft to yaw and roll uncontrollably to the left. The aircraft lost altitude and struck the ground before sliding into the international terminal apron, where it collided with a parked Aeroflot aircraft and several ground personnel.

Final Conclusions

The investigation concluded that the primary cause was the trainee's incorrect rudder application during a simulated engine failure, which was not corrected in time by the instructor pilot. The aircraft's low altitude during the maneuver left no margin for recovery once the upset occurred.

Video Analysis

No video analysis linked for this case file yet.

Systems & Failure Modes

i

Rudder

The primary control surface used to counter yaw; incorrect application during engine-out simulation led to the loss of control.

i

Flight Controls

The mechanical linkages and hydraulic boosters that translate pilot input to the aircraft's control surfaces.

Interesting Facts

  • 01All 4 crew members on board the Boeing 737 were killed.
  • 02Four people on the ground, including an Aeroflot engineer, were killed in the collision.
  • 03The Aeroflot Il-86 was empty of passengers at the time of the impact.
  • 04The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-200 Combi, originally delivered to Hapag-Lloyd.
  • 05The accident occurred in clear weather conditions during daylight.

Safety Actions & Advisories

Training Protocol Revision

Recommendations were made to ensure that simulated engine failures are conducted at safer altitudes and that instructors maintain a higher state of readiness to intervene.

Location

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India · 28.5550, 77.0840View on globe →

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