Flight Details
Indian Airlines Flight 605 departed Mumbai, India, at 11:58 local time, operating a domestic service to Bangalore. At 12:25, the flight contacted Bangalore approach control, receiving the current weather conditions: wind variable at 5 knots, visibility 10 kilometers, cloud cover 2 octa at 2,000 feet, temperature 27°C, and QNH 1018.
Approach and Descent
At 12:44, the aircraft was cleared to descend to flight level 110 (FL110). After reaching that altitude, vectors were provided for a visual approach to runway 09. During the final approach, the aircraft descended significantly below the normal approach profile.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft continued its descent until it struck the boundaries of the Karnataka Golf Club, located 2,300 feet short of the runway and 200 feet to the right of the extended centerline. After the initial impact, the aircraft rolled for about 80 feet, became airborne again for approximately 230 feet, and came down on the 17th green of the golf course. The landing gear wheels dug into the ground, and the aircraft impacted a 12-foot-high embankment. The impact sheared off the landing gear and engines. The aircraft continued over the embankment and came to rest in a grassy, marshy, and rocky area.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause was the failure of the pilots to realize the gravity of the situation and respond immediately by moving the throttles, despite radio altitude call-outs of "Four hundred", "Three hundred", and "Two hundred" feet, and knowing that the aircraft was in an idle/open descent mode. However, the investigation noted that identification of the cause for the engagement of idle/open descent mode during the short final approach was not possible.