Background
On 7 January 1974, an Indian Air Force Antonov AN-12 transport aircraft, registration BL740, was preparing for takeoff from Chennai-Meenambhakam Airport (now Chennai International Airport). The crew consisted of the pilot-in-command (narrator), co-pilot "Baldy", navigator Ambre, and Prasad Rao, an AEB examiner. Among the passengers were Wing Commander "Doc Lu" of AEB, Flight Lieutenant Raghavan of Logs, and several others.
Accident Sequence
Takeoff was delayed due to a radio-telephony problem. Once cleared, the aircraft began its takeoff roll. All parameters appeared normal. As the navigator called out a speed of 160 knots, the pilot was transitioning from nosewheel steering to control column inputs. At that moment, the aircraft swung violently to the right and left, causing the runway orientation to appear at a 45-degree angle. The pilot realized an engine failure had occurred and immediately retarded all four throttles. Ahead on Runway 07, a large ditch was visible; before any further action could be taken, the aircraft came to a halt after impacting the ditch. The impact broke the fuselage into two sections. The main entrance door flew open. There was no fire and no fatalities.
Aftermath
After the aircraft stopped, the pilot ensured all switches were off before exiting. The co-pilot, Ambre, attempted to egress through the copilot's side window but fell and broke his arm. The gunner, Warrant Officer Nagarajan, was also injured but safe. Some passengers and crew went to a nearby Army medical inspection room for first aid.
Investigation
The investigation was headed by Wing Commander "Chotu" Desores and Squadron Leader Rajgopalan. They estimated that even after the throttles were cut, the aircraft took no more than five seconds to crash. The pilot was later blamed for "not using sufficient brake and for carrying unauthorized passengers," which ended his flying on the AN-12. Subsequently, Squadron Leader (later Air Marshal) Victor Puri, then the pilot's flight commander in 44 Squadron, attempted to simulate a number 4 engine auto-feather—identified as the cause of the accident—with an experienced crew. The simulation showed that the aircraft could not be controlled and was about to leave the runway; power had to be reapplied to regain control. Due to the anti-clockwise rotation of the propeller blades, the number 4 engine is the most critical engine on the Antonov AN-12.