Night Take-Off Accident at Palam Involving Karachi Flight (AP-AEH)

Flight Details and Take-Off Weight Discrepancy The aircraft arrived at Palam at 1902 hours after an uneventful flight from Karachi. Following a thorough service check, it was refuelled and loaded for the return journey. The load sheet indicated a total take-off weight of 41,589 lbs, but the investigation revealed an error in the empty weight calculation. The actual gross take-off weight was determined to be 41,319 lbs, which was 1,181 lbs below the maximum permissible all-up weight. ## Accident Sequence At 2018 hours, the aircraft began its take-off run and became airborne in the latter half of the runway. Shortly after, flames were observed at the western boundary of the airfield. The crash crew chief, who had watched the take-off, estimated the aircraft reached a height of 50 ft before the landing lights pointed downwards and the aircraft began losing altitude. He immediately directed the crew toward the crash site, and the crash siren was sounded. The crash tender arrived in 7 to 8 minutes, finding the fire had already reached large proportions. ## Casualties and Damage The accident resulted in fatal injuries to four crew members, 17 passengers, and two other individuals in the vicinity of the crash. Nine passengers and one other person sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.