Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 19 February 1952
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-70-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Deccan Airways
Registration Number: VT-AXE
Location: Nagpur-Sonegaon Airport (NAG) –
ÿ India
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 16
Component Affected: Pilot’s actions during final approach and navigation.Pilot’s actions during final approach and navigation.
Category: Accident
A DC-3 aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing at Nagpur runway 27 due to pilot error during a nighttime approach. The aircraft banked sharply to the left, resulting in a collision with trees and subsequent crash 2000 feet short of the runway threshold. The pilot’s incorrect setting of the altimeter to QNH, instead of QFE, contributed to the error.A DC-3 aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing at Nagpur runway 27 due to pilot error during a nighttime approach. The aircraft banked sharply to the left, resulting in a collision with trees and subsequent crash 2000 feet short of the runway threshold. The pilot’s incorrect setting of the altimeter to QNH, instead of QFE, contributed to the error.
Description
The DC-3 was low on the approach to Nagpur runway 27. The aircraft suddenly banked to the left, struck trees and crashed 2000 feet short of the runway threshold. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The accident was due to errors of judgement by the pilot when attempting landing during night. He misjudged the approach, undershot and hit the top branches of a tree. The setting of the pilot’s altimeter to QNH, rather than the customary QFE during the final approach was a contributory factor.”
Primary Cause
Pilot error during final approach, including undershooting the runway and striking trees.Pilot error during final approach, including undershooting the runway and striking trees.Share on:
