What happened
On 27 August 2019, a Cessna Citation 560 XL, registration VT-AVV, was performing a flight from Delhi to Aligarh (Dhanipur Airstrip) for a scheduled ADS-B modification. The flight was operated by Air Charter Services Pvt Ltd. The aircraft was carrying a total of six people, including two cockpit crew members and four passengers.
After departing Delhi at 0821 IST, the aircraft proceeded toward Aligarh under VFR conditions. Upon approaching the uncontrolled Aligarh airport, the crew established contact with the ground radio operator to receive local weather and runway information. The aircraft commenced its visual approach at approximately 5 nautical miles from the runway at an altitude of 2200 feet. During the descent, the co-pilot noted the aircraft was slightly low on its profile, a callout which the pilot in command acknowledged and corrected.
As the aircraft descended below 100 feet above ground level, the pilot in command reported hearing a loud bang originating from the left side of the airframe. Immediately following this sound, the aircraft began banking toward the left and struck the ground before reaching the threshold of runway 11. The impact caused the aircraft to veer off the runway, at which point the left wing ignited.
All six occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft via the main exit door. However, the aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported among the crew and passengers.
Findings
- The aircraft impacted the ground short of the runway threshold following a loud noise heard by the pilot.
- A loud bang from the left side of the aircraft preceded the loss of control and subsequent impact.