Departure and Flight
The aircraft departed Chennai Naval Air Station (NAS) at 1730 local time on a maritime patrol mission. The planned route covered the Tamil Nadu coast and the Palk Bay.
Loss of Contact
Last radio contact with the crew was established at 2100 LT. Radar contact was lost at 2123 LT while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, approximately 176 km offshore.
Search and Recovery
Search and rescue (SAR) operations were launched immediately. The following morning, debris from the aircraft was located. On July 10, the main wreckage was discovered at a depth of 995 meters, about 30 km off the coast of Pichavaram.
Occupants
The aircraft carried three occupants: two pilots and one observer. All three were killed in the accident.