Narrative:
The DC-3 was operating on a flight from Calcutta (CCU) to Imphal (IMF) via Agartala (IXA) and Silchar (IXS). The aircraft took off from Agartala at 10:10 for a 50-minute flight to Silchar. En route weather was poor (thunderstorms in the area southwest of Silchar). The aircraft didn't arrive at its destination and was found to have crashed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Structural failure occurred while the aircraft was flying through a thunderstorm. The failure originated in the port centre section and was due to loads which exceeded the ultimate design value for the structure. It was not possible to establish whether the pilot adopted the correct procedure for flying in turbulence."
Fuselage failure
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 29 March 1959 |
| Time: | 10:45 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47A-90-DL (DC-3) |
| Operator: | Indian Airlines |
| Registration: | VT-CGI |
| MSN: | 20176 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 20 / Occupants: 20 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 24 / Occupants: 24 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 56 km (35 mls) W of Silchar ( India)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Agartala-Singerbhil Airport (IXA/VEAT), India |
| Silchar-Kumbhirgram Airport (IXS/VEKU), India |
The DC-3 was operating on a flight from Calcutta (CCU) to Imphal (IMF) via Agartala (IXA) and Silchar (IXS). The aircraft took off from Agartala at 10:10 for a 50-minute flight to Silchar. En route weather was poor (thunderstorms in the area southwest of Silchar). The aircraft didn't arrive at its destination and was found to have crashed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Structural failure occurred while the aircraft was flying through a thunderstorm. The failure originated in the port centre section and was due to loads which exceeded the ultimate design value for the structure. It was not possible to establish whether the pilot adopted the correct procedure for flying in turbulence."
Classification:
ThunderstormFuselage failure
Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 62-AN/57 (109-111)Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Agartala-Singerbhil Airport to Silchar-Kumbhirgram Airport as the crow flies is 208 km (130 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
Distance from Agartala-Singerbhil Airport to Silchar-Kumbhirgram Airport as the crow flies is 208 km (130 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
languages: 
India
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Douglas DC-3
- ca 13.000 built
- 3445th loss
- 1322nd fatal accident
- 71st worst accident (at the time)
- 132nd worst accident (currently)
India- 7th worst accident (at the time)
- 32nd worst accident (currently)
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