What happened
On March 23, 2023, a Sinus 912 motor glider, registration VT-GDI, operated by Jharkhand Flying Institute, crashed in a residential area approximately 1 km southwest of Dhanbad airport. The aircraft was conducting a joy ride sortie with one passenger on board.
Following the engine start, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll on runway 25 within seconds. Shortly after liftoff, a low fuel pressure alarm appeared on the cockpit display. Within 14 seconds of this warning, the engine ceased functioning at an altitude of roughly 170 feet. The pilot attempted a single engine restart attempt, which was unsuccessful. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude rapidly, striking treetops and power lines before colliding with the roof of a house and a concrete pillar.
The investigation
The AAIB India investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the operational procedures followed by the crew and the organization. Investigators examined the wreckage and the engine, finding no evidence of fuel leakage or mechanical blockage. A strip examination of the engine concluded that there was no fuel supply reaching the powerplant.
The inquiry also reviewed the flight's preceding events, noting that the pilot had completed three successful training sorties earlier that day. The investigation looked into the pre-flight inspection process, the pilot's adherence to manufacturer protocols, and the regulatory standing of the flying institute regarding commercial joy ride operations.