Belly landing of aircraft at Madras airport

No fatalities • Chennai, India • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft flying from Bangalore to Madras experienced a belly landing on runway 07, resulting in no injuries but the total loss of the airframe.

What happened

On the morning of the incident, an aircraft departed from Bangalore at 06:45 IST, bound for Madras. The flight proceeded without any reported issues until the approach phase. At 07:28 IST, the Madras Control Tower provided clearance for the aircraft to land.

Upon arrival, the aircraft made contact with the runway 2,140 feet from the threshold. The landing was a belly landing, causing the aircraft to slide along the runway surface for roughly 1,500 feet. During this slide, the aircraft drifted slightly to the right of the runway centerline. As the aircraft decelerated, the port engine propeller blades and the tip of the port wing made contact with the ground.

Following the stop, the flight attendant opened the rear passenger door, allowing for a successful evacuation. While a small amount of smoke was observed near the lower center section of the fuselage, no fire broke out during the event. There were no injuries reported among the occupants.

Findings

  • The aircraft, which was written off following the accident, sustained significant structural damage.
  • The impact involved the underside of the fuselage and the port-side components.
  • The primary factor in the damage was the landing on the belly rather than the main landing gear.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a landing on its belly, leading to structural damage and the loss of the airframe.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-09-13 Dornier DO228 accident near Chennai, India?

An aircraft flying from Bangalore to Madras experienced a belly landing on runway 07, resulting in no injuries but the total loss of the airframe.

Were there any fatalities in the 1991-09-13 Dornier DO228 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-09-13 involved a Dornier DO228, registration VT-EPV, operated by United Breweries, at Chennai, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced a landing on its belly, leading to structural damage and the loss of the airframe.

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