What happened
On November 6, 2014, a SpiceJet Boeing 737-800, registration VT-SGK, was preparing for a scheduled flight from Surat to Delhi. During the takeoff roll on runway 04, when the aircraft had reached a speed of approximately 78 knots and was roughly 350 meters from the start of the runway, the left engine struck a buffalo positioned on the runway.
The pilot immediately initiated an aborted takeoff. While the crew initially believed they might have struck a smaller animal, a subsequent inspection revealed substantial damage to the left engine, including a damaged nose inlet cowl, dents on the fan cowl, and damage to several fan blades. There were no injuries to the 151 passengers or 6 crew members on board, and no fire occurred during the incident. The aircraft was able to return to the apron, where passengers were safely disembarked.
The investigation
An investigation by the AAIB established that the animal had entered the operational area through various breaches in the airport's perimeter fencing. Post-accident inspections of the aerodrome revealed several gaps in the chain-link fencing and tilted brick wall columns.
Investigators also examined the airport's operational procedures. It was found that the bird chasers, who are responsible for monitoring the runway for wildlife, had been withdrawn shortly before the departure. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the standard daily inspections of the perimeter fence and boundary walls were not being properly recorded or performed according to established protocols. The weather at the time of the accident was clear with 6,000 meters of visibility and calm winds.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft striking a buffalo that was standing on the runway during the takeoff roll.
- The animal gained access to the runway due to multiple breaches in the airport boundary wall.
- There was a lack of adherence to standard aerodrome procedures, specifically regarding the timely inspection of the perimeter and the presence of wildlife surveillance personnel.
- Heavy vegetation growth within the operational area may have contributed to the difficulty in detecting animals on the runway.