What happened
While performing a flight from Agartala to Calcutta, a fire developed within the cargo area of a four-engine aircraft. In response to the emergency, the pilot initiated a descent to a lower altitude and attempted to perform an emergency landing. During the approach, the plane struck a prairie in the Comilla region. The impact caused the aircraft to slide across the terrain for several yards before the wreckage was consumed by flames.
While the three crew members successfully evacuated the cabin without sustaining injuries, the accident resulted in seven fatalities among local villagers who were near the site as the aircraft underwent multiple explosions.
Findings
An investigation into the incident has not yet determined the specific origin of the fire that occurred within the cargo compartment during the flight.