1 fatality

Loss of control following takeoff resulting in one fatality (VT-CCA)

Bangalore-Hindustan, IndiaTakeoff (climb)

On September 15, 1951, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration VT-CCA) operated by Air India was involved in an aviation accident near Bangalore-Hindustan, India during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced a loss of control while the autopilot system was engaged during the takeoff phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed shortly after departing the runway, leading to one crew member's death and several injuries.

What happened

During the initial climb phase following departure, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. The flight path became unstable immediately after liftoff, resulting in a crash at the scene. The impact caused extensive damage to the airframe, rendering the plane a total loss.

Among the occupants on board, one crew member sustained fatal injuries during the accident. The remaining passengers and crew members survived the event but sustained various injuries.

Findings

Preliminary observations indicate that the aircraft's autopilot system was active at the time of takeoff. The loss of control is believed to have occurred while this automated flight guidance system was engaged during the early stages of the flight.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a loss of control while the autopilot system was engaged during the takeoff phase.