Narrative:
The Hastings departed RAF Katunayake at 17:34 for a flight over the Indian Ocean to RAF Gan in the Maldives. Weather near Gan was poor with heavy rain and thunderstorm. The first approach was abandoned and the pilot decided to hold for 20 minutes, hoping the storm would pass. During the second approach a lightning flash blinded the pilots, during which the aircraft descended to a height just above the sea. The aircraft then hit the sea and crashed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A) Having descended below his calculated break off level of 420 ft. and losing visual contact with runway due to lightning flashes and rain, he failed to take immediate overshoot action.
B) In the meteorological conditions prevailing, he failed to make a standard bad weather circuit on established instrument approach. Instead he made a very long low approach to land in marginal weather conditions, and failed to have navigator co-relate Eureka range with L.(?) readings. Causal conditions were (1) Pilot fatigue and (2) Impairment of vision by rain."
» Hastings Bangs and Prangs and Splashes and Crashes
| Status: | |
| Date: | Tuesday 1 March 1960 |
| Type: |  Handley Page Hastings C.1 |
| Operator: | Royal Air Force - RAF |
| Registration: | TG579 |
| MSN: | HP67/70 |
| First flight: | 1949 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 14 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 20 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 3 km (1.9 mls) off Gan RAF Station (GAN) ( Maldives)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Katunayake RAF Station (CMB/VCBI), Sri Lanka |
| Gan RAF Station (GAN/VRMG), Maldives |
The Hastings departed RAF Katunayake at 17:34 for a flight over the Indian Ocean to RAF Gan in the Maldives. Weather near Gan was poor with heavy rain and thunderstorm. The first approach was abandoned and the pilot decided to hold for 20 minutes, hoping the storm would pass. During the second approach a lightning flash blinded the pilots, during which the aircraft descended to a height just above the sea. The aircraft then hit the sea and crashed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A) Having descended below his calculated break off level of 420 ft. and losing visual contact with runway due to lightning flashes and rain, he failed to take immediate overshoot action.
B) In the meteorological conditions prevailing, he failed to make a standard bad weather circuit on established instrument approach. Instead he made a very long low approach to land in marginal weather conditions, and failed to have navigator co-relate Eureka range with L.(?) readings. Causal conditions were (1) Pilot fatigue and (2) Impairment of vision by rain."
Sources:
» BAAA-ACRO» Hastings Bangs and Prangs and Splashes and Crashes
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 Katunayake RAF Station to Gan RAF Station as the crow flies is 1143 km (715 miles).
Distance from Katunayake RAF Station to Gan RAF Station as the crow flies is 1143 km (715 miles).
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.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation