Runway excursion at Juhu Airport involving aircraft during night approach

No fatalities • Mumbai-Juhu, India • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft overran the runway at Bombay-Juhu Airport during a night approach in poor weather, resulting in a fire and several injuries.

What happened

During a nighttime arrival into the Bombay area, the flight crew encountered adverse meteorological conditions characterized by rainfall and visibility restricted to approximately 1,500 meters. Due to a series of operational mistakes, the crew mistakenly performed their landing at Bombay-Juhu Airport on runway 08, rather than the intended runway 09 at Bombay-Santa Cruz International Airport.

The runway at Juhu was only 1,143 meters in length. Upon making contact with the surface, the aircraft type was unable to decelerate sufficiently before the end of the pavement. The plane subsequently overran the runway and entered a ravine, where it caught fire. While all 122 occupants were successfully evacuated from the wreckage, the incident resulted in 9 injuries. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.

Findings

  • The crew mistakenly diverted their approach to an incorrect airport runway.
  • Poor visibility and heavy rain contributed to the difficulty of the approach.

Probable cause

The crew's series of errors led them to land on an insufficient runway length at Juhu Airport instead of the intended runway at Santa Cruz International.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-09-24 Douglas DC-8 accident near Mumbai-Juhu, India?

An aircraft overran the runway at Bombay-Juhu Airport during a night approach in poor weather, resulting in a fire and several injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-09-24 Douglas DC-8 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1972-09-24 involved a Douglas DC-8, registration JA8013, operated by Japan Airlines, at Mumbai-Juhu, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew's series of errors led them to land on an insufficient runway length at Juhu Airport instead of the intended runway at Santa Cruz International.

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