Accident Summary
While preparing to land at Bombay-Santa Cruz Airport runway 27, the crew was cleared to descend to 4,000 feet. The pilot-in-command began the descent prematurely. At an altitude of 3,600 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mount Davandyachi (1,080 meters high), located approximately eight kilometers north of Junnar. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and all 94 occupants were killed.
Sequence of Events
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was off course by nine kilometers and its altitude was too low. The descent was initiated prematurely in instrument conditions for a straight-in approach to land at night. The crew had made several errors prior to the descent.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation attributed the accident to a navigation error. This error led the pilot to believe that the aircraft was nearer to its destination than it actually was, causing the premature descent. The aircraft consequently crashed into high terrain. Contributing factors were identified as the pilot's failure to use available navigational facilities to ascertain the correct position, infringement of the prescribed minimum safe altitude, and unfamiliarity with the terrain along the route.