Investigation Summary
The aircraft, VT-UPZ, had a history of significant maintenance. It was previously owned by the Uttar Pradesh government and had been involved in a minor accident in Allahabad in 2014. After changing ownership to UY Aviation, it underwent extensive repairs in Mumbai where approximately 80 percent of its parts were replaced. The accident occurred during the first test flight following these major repairs. During the approach to Juhu Airport, the crew encountered heavy monsoon rains. As they transitioned from the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to visual flying, the aircraft experienced differential engine power. This created an unexpected yaw and bank which, combined with the lack of external visual references, led to spatial disorientation. The pilots failed to maintain situational awareness, resulting in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude insufficient for recovery.
Final Conclusions
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India released its final report in December 2018. The probable cause was identified as a stall resulting from a lack of situational awareness due to spatial disorientation. This disorientation was triggered by the transition from IMC to partial VMC in deteriorating weather and an unexpected bank caused by differential engine power.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Copilot
Systems & Failure Modes
Engines
The investigation noted differential engine power during the approach, which contributed to an unexpected bank and yaw.
Instrument Landing System (ILS)
The crew was utilizing ILS for the approach in IMC before attempting to transition to visual flying (VMC) shortly before the loss of control.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a 1995-built Beechcraft C90B King Air, MSN LJ-1400.
- 02The flight was a maintenance test flight following extensive repairs where over 80% of parts were replaced.
- 03The accident resulted in 5 total fatalities: 4 occupants (2 pilots and 2 engineers) and 1 person on the ground.
- 04The aircraft was previously owned by the Uttar Pradesh state government and had a prior accident history in 2014.
Safety Actions & Advisories
DGCA Maintenance Oversight
Source ↗Following the investigation, recommendations were made to the DGCA to enhance oversight of major repairs and test flight protocols for aircraft returning to service after long-term storage or extensive reconstruction.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the entered by an editor. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.