Crash of a Douglas C-53 in Jungshahi: 26 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1949 at 2150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
AP-ADI
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lahore – Karachi
MSN:
4841
YOM:
1941
Location:
Jungshahi
Sindh (سنڌ سندھ)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
The crew just started the descent by night to Karachi when the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain (1,185 feet high) located about 80 km east of Karachi-Mauripur Airport, near the village of Jungshahi. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 26 occupants were killed. Two days after the tragedy, the Operator's AOC was suspended for an undetermined period of time.
Probable cause:
An error of navigation on the part of the pilot in that the aircraft was not as near to Karachi Airport as he reported it to be in his last "position report", which, had it been correct, would have placed the aircraft past the last range of hills. It is apparent, however, that the pilot continued to descend further after having reported last at 2,500 feet at 2147LT in contravention of the 'standard letdown procedure at Karachi Airport' which he was practicing. The lack of visibility caused by night was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DK near Vehari: 21 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1948 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
AP-ACE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Karachi – Lahore
MSN:
12775
YOM:
1944
Location:
Vehari
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left Karachi at 0805LT bound for Lahore and climbed to the assigned altitude of 7,000 feet. While cruising in the region of Vehari, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all 21 occupants.
Probable cause:
The omission of a sealing washer on the carburetor fuel filter of the port engine resulting in fuel leaking on to the ignition systems, culminating in a severe oil fire which finally involved the main port fuel tanks. Secondary causes were a generally low standard of maintenance due to lack of tools, spares, adequate lighting, hurried workmanship, and inexperience in lower staff grades. The crew carried out their duty in a disciplined manner and if disintegration had been delayed for a short while longer an emergency landing could have been made.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-120 in Lahore

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-2
Operator:
Registration:
AX769
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1310
YOM:
1934
Location:
Lahore
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Lahore Airport, the aircraft hit the ground and came to rest on a bank short of runway. No casualties.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Lahore

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L4916
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lahore - Lahore
MSN:
8931
YOM:
1939
Location:
Lahore
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Lahore Airport, the bomber stalled and crashed. All three crew members were injured.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Lahore

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L8380
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lahore - Lahore
Location:
Lahore
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Damaged beyond repair in a landing accident near Lahore Airport. All three crew members evacuated safely.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon I near Lahore: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1939
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VT-AEL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Calcutta – Lahore
MSN:
6048
YOM:
1933
Location:
Lahore
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While performing a mail flight from Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances some 60 km from Lahore. The passenger and the pilot were killed.

Crash of a Percival P.3 Gull Six near Karachi: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Percival D.3 Gull Six
Operator:
Registration:
VT-AJD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Karachi - Lahore
MSN:
K.72
YOM:
1937
Location:
Karachi
Sindh (سنڌ سندھ)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Few minutes after take off from Karachi Airport, while on a positioning flight to Lahore, the single engine aircraft collided with a Beechcraft E17B Staggerwing also operated by Indian National Airways. Registered VT-AKJ, this second aircraft was carrying a pilot who was approaching Karachi to land at Mauripur Airport. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located some 50 km north of Karachi. While the pilot of the Percival, B. D. Sharma, was killed, the pilot of the Beechcraft survived.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Lahore

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VT-AFB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4086
YOM:
1934
Location:
Lahore
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Lahore

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1927
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Bernard M. T. Shute Leete
Registration:
G-EBKU
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lahore - Lahore
MSN:
169
YOM:
1925
Location:
Lahore
Punjab (پنجاب)
Country:
Pakistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Bernard M. T. Shute Leete, owner of the aircraft, pilot and member of the Royal Aero Club, departed Stag Lane near London on 15NOV1926 on a flight to Pakistan. He arrived at Karachi on 08JAN1927 and in Lahore on 15FEB1927. In Punjab, he decided to make several demonstration flights. After few manoeuvres in the vicinity of the airport, he completed a last turn to join the airport. On final approach, while flying too low, the aircraft hit power cables, stalled and crashed before coming to rest upside down. While both occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
Bernard M. T. Shute Leete, pilot.
Passenger:
Mrs. Hailey, wife of Governor of the Punjab.
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