History of the Flight
ATR 72-500 aircraft VT-JCX, operated by Jet Airways, was scheduled to operate flight 9W2793 from Delhi to Indore on 7 May 2016. The flight was crewed by two ATPL holders, one as pilot-in-command and the other as co-pilot. There were 66 passengers and 4 crew members on board, including the two pilots.
The crew reported for duty on time and proceeded to the aircraft after a breath analyzer test and briefing. Based on weather reports, they decided to take 100 kg of extra fuel. Departure clearance was obtained, and the aircraft pushed back approximately 1210 UTC, taking off from runway 29 at 1210 UTC. The crew requested a left deviation during climb to avoid weather and were 12 NM left of track.
Approximately 115 NM from Indore, the crew obtained the ATIS and completed the arrival briefing at 100 NM. They requested descent permission at 1340 UTC, earlier than the planned descent point, to avoid weather and turbulence. The winds reported by ATC were 130° at 8 knots. The crew decided on a VOR approach to runway 07 via DME arc, but when winds shifted to 320° at 12 knots, they discontinued the approach. ATC then cleared them for an ILS approach to runway 25. The crew requested an ILS approach via DME arc due to weather overhead, which was granted at 1401 UTC. Winds were then reported as 100° at 12 knots.
The crew continued the approach, flying out to 15 NM to avoid weather before turning right to intercept the ILS. They reported established on the localizer at 1407 UTC, and ATC informed them of moderate rain at the airfield. At 1408 UTC, the crew reported intercepting the ILS and was cleared to land with reported winds of 160° at 13 knots. The approach was clear, and runway lights were visible from 13 NM. The crew requested reduced light intensity as the lights appeared bright.
At 600 feet, the autopilot was disconnected. After touchdown, the aircraft veered right. The PIC attempted to correct with left rudder, but the aircraft moved excessively left. Even full right rudder did not prevent the aircraft from continuing left. The aircraft departed the runway onto the unpaved surface on the left, damaging runway edge lights, runway marking lights, and a taxiway edge light. It traveled approximately 180 meters over uneven ground, jumped a pit, crossed taxiway F near the isolation bay, and came to a halt 78 meters from the runway centerline with a heading of 204°.
The co-pilot called "Crew to your stations" and responded to ATC at 1412 UTC. The cabin crew was briefed, and all passengers were confirmed OK. The pilots decided against evacuation and deplaned normally after the propellers stopped. All passengers disembarked and were taken to the terminal by bus. No injuries occurred.
Injuries to Persons
No fatalities, serious injuries, or minor injuries were reported among crew, passengers, or others.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage while moving over uneven and unpaved surfaces. Damage included deep scratches and dents near the standby pitot probe, lower fuselage belly skin scratches and buckling, bulkhead frame damage aft of the wheel well, and damage to the drain mast, LH hydraulic bay access fairing, and LH engine propeller blades. All three landing gears were inspected for suspected overload. The nose landing gear upper support and shock absorber were damaged. The right main landing gear barrel, trailing arm, universal joint hinge pin, and shock absorber hinge pin were damaged and scrapped. The left main landing gear barrel, trailing arm, attachment hinge pins, universal joint hinge pins, barrel hinge pin, shock absorber hinge pin, and side brace hinge pin were also damaged and scrapped. Additional damage included FOD damage to propeller blade 3 of engine 1, loose bracket of the primary WOW sensor, LH main landing gear door aft portion damage, RH MLG door attachment fitting damage, shear of the link assembly joining the LH MLG door to the landing gear, puncture of the web attaching the hydraulic bay panel, shear of the intercostal joining web, damage to the hydraulic bay access panel, skid marks on the tail skid, skin buckling aft of frame 34 to frame 40 with damage to four frames, and dent and deep scratch on the LH fuselage skin. The LH MLG cantilever rib was buckled and twisted.
Other Damage
The aircraft struck a runway edge light, a runway marking light, and a taxiway edge light before stopping near the isolation bay.
Personnel Information
The pilot-in-command was 41 years old, held an ATPL, and had 3943 total flying hours with 189 hours as PIC on type. The co-pilot was 33 years old, held an ATPL, and had 2693 total flying hours with no PIC experience on type.
Aircraft Information
The ATR 72-500 (MSN 1056) was manufactured in 2012 and registered VT-JCX. It was owned by Celestial Aviation Trading 71 Limited and operated by Jet Airways. The certificate of airworthiness was issued under normal category, with a maximum all-up weight of 23,000 kg.