Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E9D in Kulu: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1996 at 0855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Registration:
VT-ETC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New Delhi – Shimla – Kulu
MSN:
94 27 03
YOM:
1994
Location:
Kulu-Bhuntar
Himachal Pradesh
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
8912
Captain / Total hours on type:
1705.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1789
Copilot / Total hours on type:
828
Aircraft flight hours:
3297
Aircraft flight cycles:
2556
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Shimla, the crew started the descent to Kulu-Bhuntar Airport in poor visibility due to thick fog. On approach, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located on Mt Bandi. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The was due to a complete lack of safety awareness, proper supervision and operational control in the organisation. The non compliance of safety requirements on part of the operator was a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Shimla: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1961
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Shimla
Himachal Pradesh
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while involved in a supply mission. Both pilots from the 41st Squadron were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL near Kathmandu: 20 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VT-CYN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Shimla-Katmandou
MSN:
19988
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kathmandu
Bagmati
Country:
Nepal
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Kathmandu in poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed on a mountainous area located about 20 km from the airport. Following a navigational error on part of the pilots, the airplane followed a wrong approach path to Kathmandu Airport and went into the wrong valley. At the last moment, the pilot-in-command made a sharp turn to avoid the mountain but the aircraft stalled due to an insufficient speed and crashed on a rocky slope. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 20 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Navigation error on part of the flying crew. Lack of visibility caused by poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Kathmandu: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VT-DBA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Shimla – Kathmandu
MSN:
13165
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kathmandu
Bagmati
Country:
Nepal
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The landing at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan was completed at an excessive speed. On touchdown, the aircraft bounced several times before landing firmly. After few dozen yards, the pilot-in-command added power in an attempt to go around when the airplane overran and crashed into a ravine. Nineteen occupants were injured while 14 others plus one person on the ground were killed.
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