History of the Flight
On 06 July 2016, a Hawker 900XP aircraft, registration VT-LTA, operated by M/s Larsen and Toubro Aviation Ltd, was conducting a non-scheduled flight from Bangalore (VOBL) to Chennai (VOMM). The flight crew comprised an ATPL-holder as Pilot-in-Command and a CPL-holder as First Officer, with four passengers on board. The earlier leg from Chennai to Bangalore was uneventful.
Departure from Bangalore was at 1355 UTC, with takeoff at 1405 UTC. The approach to Chennai was normal, with the crew receiving ATIS information and radar vectors for an ILS approach to Runway 07. At 1431 UTC, Chennai Approach advised that the preceding aircraft had reported wind shear on final approach. The crew observed weather on the radar and noted increasing rain. After switching to Tower, the crew reported at 08 miles final and were advised of winds 240°–250° at 16–18 knots with rain. The controls were handed to the PIC.
The aircraft was cleared to land at 1434 UTC. The crew experienced sudden intense rain and blurring of the windshield during flare, and the First Officer twice warned of a left drift. The aircraft touched down on the left shoulder of the runway at approximately 1436 UTC, striking runway edge lights. The first light impacted was at 1131 meters from the threshold. The aircraft hit 13 edge lights before veering slightly left, where the nose landing gear broke and fell into soft ground. The nose gear leg struck the aircraft belly, damaging control systems. The crew lost the ability to operate thrust levers, foot brakes, and airbrakes.
The left main landing gear wheel then detached. The aircraft re-entered the runway and skidded about 250 meters, stopping at 2775 meters from the runway threshold, 5.5 meters right of the centerline. The crew requested emergency assistance at 1437 UTC and evacuated the passengers. The right engine thrust lever and HP cock jammed; the crew had to use full weight to shut down the engine. Emergency services applied AFFF as a precaution due to fuel leakage, but no fire occurred.
Injuries to Persons
No injuries were sustained by the crew, passengers, or any other persons. The report explicitly states nil fatalities or serious injuries.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft suffered substantial damage. The nose radome was damaged from hitting edge lights. The nose landing gear sheared off. The lower nose fuselage was damaged, exposing hydraulic lines and damaging the avionics bay. The left wing leading edge and bottom surface had dents; the left wingtip light was broken. The right flap was damaged. The left main landing gear wheel detached, and the hub was exposed and damaged. Both right main landing gear tyres were blown. The left inboard and outboard MLG doors were damaged; brake lines were damaged. The left flap drive shaft broke. Detailed inspection revealed multiple dents, scratches, and penetrations on the lower fuselage and wings.
Aftermath
The runway was blocked from 1438 UTC to 1934 UTC, causing delays to five international and four domestic arrivals, as well as two international departures. Ten flights were diverted to alternate airports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation classified the occurrence as an accident and appointed a Committee of Inquiry. The NTSB appointed an accredited representative to assist.