What happened
On the night of May 6, 2021, a Beechcraft Super King Air B200GT, registration VT-MPQ, was performing a flight from Indore to Gwalior to transport medical supplies. The flight, operated by the Directorate of Aviation, Government of Madhya Pradesh, was the third sector of a multi-leg mission.
While approaching Gwalior Airport (VIGR) at night, the flight crew requested a visual approach for runway 06R. After being cleared to land, the aircraft descended toward the threshold. However, at approximately 15 feet above the ground, the aircraft's main landing gear struck a raised arrester barrier located 240 feet before the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to come to an abrupt halt on the runway centerline.
While there was no post-impact fire, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The two crew members and one passenger on board sustained injuries, with one crew member and the passenger receiving serious injuries and the pilot-in-command receiving minor injuries.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the sequence of events leading to the collision, focusing on the aircraft's approach and the state of the aerodrome equipment. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating under visual flight conditions at night. The crew had coordinated their descent with Delhi Control and were in contact with Gwalior ATC, confirming they had the airfield in sight and were established on the right base leg before being cleared to land.
Investigators analyzed the wreckage and impact information, noting that the main landing gear had become entangled with the arrester barrier, causing the barrier assembly to break away from its mounting. The investigation also reviewed the flight crew's experience, noting the pilot-in-command was highly experienced on the type, while the co-pilot had recently received type endorsement.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision with a raised arrester barrier situated short of the landing threshold.
- The aircraft was performing a visual approach to runway 06R during nighttime operations.
- The impact occurred at a very low altitude, approximately 15 feet above the ground.
- The aircraft was being used to transport COVID-19 medical supplies, and the flight was part of a series of sectors flown that day.