Date:	Thursday 26 April 1979
Time:	11:59
Type:	Boeing 737-2A8
Owner/operator:	Indian Airlines
Registration:	VT-ECR
MSN:	20962/380
Year of manufacture:	1974
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 67
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	UI
Location:	Madras Airport (MAA) -   India
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Trivandrum Airport (TRV/VOTV)
Destination airport:	Madras Airport (MAA/VOMM)
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
On its way from Trivandrum to Madras, the aircraft was cleared to descent from FL270. Shortly afterwards an explosion took place in the forward lavatory, causing a complete instrument and electrical failure.
The Boeing had to make a flapless landing at Madras (now Chennai). The aircraft touched down 2500 feet past the runway 25 threshold and overran. The right side of the plane caught fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Detonation of an explosive device in the forward lavatory of the aircraft. The aircraft overshot the runway due to high speed of touchdown, non-availability of reverse thrust and anti-skid system due to systems failure consequent on explosion."

Aircraft hijackings and other criminal acts against civil aviation : statistics and narrative reports / FAA
Civil aircraft accidents 1979 / Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, CAD, ASD

Date/time	Contributor	Updates