What happened
During a scheduled flight traveling from Agathi to Thiruvananthapuram via Cochin, an aircraft carrying three crew members and three passengers experienced a catastrophic failure shortly after departing runway 17. While climbing at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, the plane entered a steep upward pitch, reaching a near-vertical orientation. The aircraft then executed a maneuver resembling a right-hand stall turn before impacting the roof of the Component Repair Shop (CRS) building located within the Naval Aircraft Yard.
The collision triggered a significant fire that resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. The accident claimed the lives of all six occupants on board, along with three individuals inside the building. A total of six people sustained minor injuries during the event.
Findings
Investigations determined that the aircraft's uncontrolled pitch-up was triggered by an uncommanded downward movement of the leading edge of the Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer. This mechanical failure occurred because the actuator forward bearing support fitting had partially detached, a condition caused by the failure to install necessary hi-lok fasteners. The investigation concluded that inadequate maintenance procedures at the Short Haul Operations Department were a significant contributing factor to the accident.