FlightFinder
Check my flight
8 fatalities

Calibration Flight Crash Near New Delhi-Palam Airport (VT-DEU)

Badkhalsa, IndiaFlight

On May 19, 1978, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration VT-DEU) operated by Indian Government was involved in an aviation accident near Badkhalsa, India in flight. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: In-flight failure of the left engine due to the dysfunction of the fuel pump at a critical stage of flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft conducting a calibration flight for the Indian Civil Aviation Authority crashed in flames about 40 km north of New Delhi-Palam Airport after an engine failure, killing all eight occupants.

Incident Overview An aircraft was operating a calibration flight at New Delhi-Palam Airport on behalf of the Indian Civil Aviation Authority. During the flight, the airplane was cruising at a relatively low altitude when it experienced an engine failure. ## Crash Sequence Following the engine failure, the aircraft banked to the left and began losing altitude. It subsequently crashed in flames approximately 40 km north of Palam Airport. ## Casualties All eight occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the accident. ## Probable Cause The official investigation attributed the accident to an in-flight failure of the left engine, which was caused by the dysfunction of the fuel pump at a critical stage of flight.

Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 May 1978 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Badkhalsa, India?

An aircraft conducting a calibration flight for the Indian Civil Aviation Authority crashed in flames about 40 km north of New Delhi-Palam Airport after an engine failure, killing all eight occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 May 1978 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 May 1978 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration VT-DEU, operated by Indian Government, at Badkhalsa, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

In-flight failure of the left engine due to the dysfunction of the fuel pump at a critical stage of flight.

More accident analyses