What happened
During a local training mission at Bombay-Santa Cruz Airport, a crew of five was performing a practice takeoff using only three engines. As the aircraft accelerated, the pilot applied power to the remaining engine, which led to a loss of directional control. The aircraft veered toward the right side of the runway and exited the paved surface.
During the excursion, the right wing impacted an embankment measuring 9 feet in height, situated approximately 187 feet from the runway edge. This impact caused engines number 3 and 4 to be ripped from the airframe. The resulting structural damage led to a significant fire that consumed the aircraft. While the aircraft was destroyed, all five crew members sustained only slight injuries.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the pilot failed to adhere to the standard Boeing procedures required for an engine-out takeoff. The sequence of events began with the application of full thrust on engines 2 and 3. Once the aircraft reached a speed of 85 knots, the pilot engaged engine 1. However, due to an incorrect airspeed reading, the pilot attempted to rotate the aircraft before reaching the calculated rotation speed (VR).
Because the nose was lifted prematurely, the pilot lost the ability to use nose wheel steering. The rudder alone proved insufficient to maintain the centerline once power was applied to the first engine. Ultimately, the accident was driven by the pilot's failure to follow established flight manual procedures during a complex three-engine takeoff maneuver.