11 fatalities

Fatal crash of four-engine aircraft during training mission near Ahmadnagar (BL918)

Ahmadnagar, IndiaFlight

On August 16, 1971, an Antonov AN-12 (registration BL918) operated by Indian Air Force - Bharatiya Vayu Sena was involved in an aviation accident near Ahmadnagar, India in flight. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft lost controllability while performing bombing maneuvers at a low altitude. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft engaged in a low-altitude bombing exercise crashed into a hillside, resulting in the deaths of all eleven people on board.

What happened

A four-engine aircraft was conducting a scheduled training mission originating from Pune Airport. During the flight, the crew proceeded to the Ahmadnagar region to perform low-altitude bombing maneuvers. While executing these low-height practice runs, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. The plane subsequently struck a hill, leading to a high-impact crash.

Findings

The accident resulted in 11 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants. The primary factor identified in the sequence of events was the loss of control during the low-altitude phase of the training exercise.

Probable cause

The aircraft lost controllability while performing bombing maneuvers at a low altitude.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Aug 1971 Antonov AN-12 accident near Ahmadnagar, India?

An aircraft engaged in a low-altitude bombing exercise crashed into a hillside, resulting in the deaths of all eleven people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Aug 1971 Antonov AN-12 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 11 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Aug 1971 involved an Antonov AN-12, registration BL918, operated by Indian Air Force - Bharatiya Vayu Sena, at Ahmadnagar, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft lost controllability while performing bombing maneuvers at a low altitude.