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86 fatalities

Night Approach Accident at New Delhi-Palam Airport (JA8012)

New Delhi, IndiaLanding (descent or approach)

On June 14, 1972, a Douglas DC-8 (registration JA8012) operated by Japan Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near New Delhi, India during landing or approach. 86 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Japanese investigators claimed a false glide path signal to be responsible for the descent into terrain. Indian investigators say the accident was caused by a total disregard of laid down procedures by the crew and abandoning all instrument indications… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 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
Aircraft registered JA8012
Aircraft registered JA8012. Photo: Ken Fielding / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft crashed into houses on the west shore of the Yamuna River during a night approach to runway 28 at New Delhi-Palam Airport, killing 86 people and injuring five.

Accident Overview and Casualties During a night approach to runway 28 at New Delhi-Palam Airport, the aircraft struck several houses and crashed in flames on the west shore of the Yamuna River, approximately 22 km east of the airport. The accident resulted in the deaths of ten crew members, 72 passengers, and four people on the ground. Five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. At the time of the accident, the copilot was the pilot-in-command. ## Investigation Findings Japanese investigators claimed a false glide path signal was responsible for the descent into terrain. Indian investigators stated the accident was caused by a total disregard of laid-down procedures by the crew and abandoning all instrument indications without properly ensuring sighting of the runway.

Probable cause

Japanese investigators claimed a false glide path signal to be responsible for the descent into terrain. Indian investigators say the accident was caused by a total disregard of laid down procedures by the crew and abandoning all instrument indications without properly ensuring sighting of the runway.
Controlled flight into terrain

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Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Jun 1972 Douglas DC-8 accident near New Delhi, India?

An aircraft crashed into houses on the west shore of the Yamuna River during a night approach to runway 28 at New Delhi-Palam Airport, killing 86 people and injuring five.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Jun 1972 Douglas DC-8 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 86 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Jun 1972 involved a Douglas DC-8, registration JA8012, operated by Japan Airlines, at New Delhi, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Japanese investigators claimed a false glide path signal to be responsible for the descent into terrain. Indian investigators say the accident was caused by a total disregard of laid down procedures by the crew and abandoning all instrument indications without properly ensuring sighting of the runway.

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