Aircraft Collision with Megamalai Mountain Range (VT-DXG)

Incident Overview and Casualties An aircraft was operating a flight from Trivandrum to Madurai when it collided with a mountain slope in the Megamalai Mountain Range. The accident occurred while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 5,200 feet in marginal weather conditions. The impact site was located approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Madurai Airport, and the wreckage was subsequently found southeast of Cumbum. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash. All four crew members and 17 passengers were killed, while 10 other individuals sustained serious injuries. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the aircraft was off course to the north by 46 kilometers at the time of the accident. The probable cause was attributed to a navigation error by the flying crew, who likely misinterpreted certain instrument settings.