Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft operating an ambulance flight crashed into a mountain approximately 20 kilometers from its destination, Kulu-Bhuntar Airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and all five occupants—three doctors and two pilots—were killed.
Flight Details
The flight departed New Delhi-Indira Gandhi Airport on a medical evacuation mission to Kulu-Bhuntar. While descending toward the destination airport in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), the crew failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was insufficient. The aircraft subsequently struck the slope of a mountain.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the accident occurred when the pilot descended below the minimum sector altitude while flying in IMC over hilly terrain. The official investigation identified several contributing factors.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the pilot descending below minimum sector altitude in instrument meteorological conditions in a hilly area.
Contributing Factors
Contributing factors included:
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Chandigarh permitted the IFR flight to descend below the minimum sector altitude.
- Inadequate supervision, lack of safety culture, and poor pre-flight planning.
- Non-adherence to standard operating procedures by the pilot.