What happened
During a flight traveling between Jaffna and Trichy, the Douglas DC-3 operated by Sunetra Devi encountered mechanical difficulties. Reports from passengers indicated that an engine began malfunctioning shortly after departure from Jaffna, while the pilot later reported that an engine stall occurred just prior to the landing phase. As the aircraft descended toward Trichy at approximately 1:30 p.m., observers noted erratic flight behavior, including a near-collision with Trichy Rock, located roughly seven miles from the airfield.
Witnesses at the airport observed the aircraft approaching the runway at excessive speed with a significant downward tilt in the left wing. The aircraft made a heavy touchdown and bounced before impacting the grass area adjacent to the runway nose-first. The force of the impact caused the left landing gear to collapse. As the plane veered across the grass, the loss of a main wheel and the digging in of the left wing forced the aircraft into a 180-degree turn. During this sequence, the left propeller detached, and the right engine and wheel were subsequently torn from the fuselage.
A small fire ignited during the accident but was suppressed by airport emergency services. While the cockpit sustained severe damage, the crew survived the impact. The co-pilot sustained a fractured skull and a broken arm, while the pilot suffered superficial injuries to his head, chin, and ribs. Among the passengers, one individual suffered a broken collarbone, and another sustained a fractured nasal bone. There were 0 fatalities.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an engine stall during the final approach.
- The landing was characterized by excessive speed and a heavy impact on the runway grass.