Air India Express flight IX-812 runway excursion and crash

158 fatalities • Mangalore-Bajpe, India • Landing (descent or approach)

An Air India Express flight operating a return leg from Dubai to Mangalore crashed after an unstable approach and runway overshoot, resulting in the aircraft falling into a gorge.

What happened

On the return leg of a daily service between Dubai and Mangalore, flight IX-821, an Air India Express Boeing aircraft was conducting an ILS DME Arc approach to Runway 24. During the descent, the captain was asleep for a significant period, leaving the First Officer to manage radio communications. As the aircraft descended through FL184, the crew requested a direct routing to Radial 338, but the approach remained unstable.

Upon realizing the aircraft was significantly higher than the standard glide path, the captain deployed the landing gear at approximately 8,500 feet to increase the descent rate. The aircraft failed to intercept the ILS glide path correctly, resulting in an approach altitude nearly double the standard profile. As the aircraft descended, the First Officer noted the excessive altitude and suggested a go-around, but the captain continued the descent. The aircraft descended at a rate of nearly 4,000 feet per minute, triggering multiple EGPWS 'SINK RATE' and 'PULL UP' warnings.

The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at an altitude of roughly 200 feet and at a speed exceeding 160 knots, which was well above the target landing speed. Despite repeated warnings from the First Officer regarding the lack of remaining runway, the aircraft touched down approximately 5,200 feet from the threshold. Shortly after touchdown, the captain attempted a go-around, but the aircraft overshot the paved surface and the runway strip. The aircraft exited the Runway End Safety Area (RESA), struck a localiser antenna structure, hit a boundary fence, and ultimately fell into a nearby gorge.

Findings

  • The approach was highly unstable, characterized by excessive altitude and airspeed.
  • The crew failed to perform a proper descent and landing briefing as required by SOP.
  • The captain failed to initiate a go-around despite multiple prompts from the First Officer and active EGPWS warnings.
  • The primary cause was the captain's decision to continue an unstabilized approach and an improper go-around attempt after touchdown.

Probable cause

The pilot continued an unstabilized approach at excessive speed and altitude, followed by an improper go-around attempt that led to a runway overshoot.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-05-22 Boeing 737-800 accident near Mangalore-Bajpe, India?

An Air India Express flight operating a return leg from Dubai to Mangalore crashed after an unstable approach and runway overshoot, resulting in the aircraft falling into a gorge.

Were there any fatalities in the 2010-05-22 Boeing 737-800 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 158 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-05-22 involved a Boeing 737-800, registration VT-AXV, operated by Air India Express, at Mangalore-Bajpe, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot continued an unstabilized approach at excessive speed and altitude, followed by an improper go-around attempt that led to a runway overshoot.

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