What happened
During a night flight toward Bombay-Santa Cruz Airport, the crew was preparing for an arrival on runway 27. After receiving clearance to descend to 4,000 feet, the pilot initiated a descent before the aircraft had reached the appropriate position. While flying at approximately 3,600 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Davandyachi, which stands at an elevation of 1,080 meters, near Junnar. The impact caused the plane to disintegrate, and all 94 fatalities were recorded among the occupants.
At the time of the collision, the flight was approximately 9 km away from its intended course and was flying at an altitude significantly lower than required for the area.
Findings
The investigation determined that a navigation error led the pilot to incorrectly believe the aircraft was closer to the destination than it truly was. This misconception prompted a premature descent during instrument conditions while attempting a straight-in approach. Several contributing factors were identified, including:
- The pilot's failure to utilize available navigational aids to confirm the actual position of the aircraft.
- A violation of the established minimum safe altitude.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the terrain along the flight path.