ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-168B HZ-AIH Charki Dadri
ASN logo
 
 
Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Tuesday 12 November 1996
Time:18:40
Type:Silhouette image of generic B741 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing 747-168B
Operator:Saudi Arabian Airlines
Registration: HZ-AIH
MSN: 22748/555
First flight: 1982-02-03 (14 years 10 months)
Total airframe hrs:40035
Cycles:14927
Engines: 4 Rolls-Royce RB211-524C2
Crew:Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 23
Passengers:Fatalities: 289 / Occupants: 289
Total:Fatalities: 312 / Occupants: 312
Collision casualties:Fatalities: 37
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:5 km (3.1 mls) from Charki Dadri (   India)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:International Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL/VIDP), India
Destination airport:Dhahran International Airport (DHA/OEDR), Saudi Arabia
Flightnumber:SV763
Narrative:
Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907, an Ilyushin Il-76 departed Shymkent (aka Chimkent), Kazakhastan for a flight to Delhi. While descending on Airway G452 the crew contacted Delhi: "Good evening 1907. Passing through 230 for 180, 74 miles from DPN [the Delhi Airport beacon]". The controller then cleared the flight to descend to and report at FL150. In the meantime, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 had departed Delhi at 18:32 for a passenger flight to Dhahran. Flight SV763 followed the Parvi SID and reported aproaching FL100. The Delhi controller cleared the flight, which was also on Airway G452, to climb to FL140. Because Flight 1907 was approaching from the opposite side, the controller told SV763: "Maintain level 140, Standby for higher." A little later, Flight 1907 reported reaching FL150 at 46 miles from the airport. The controller then responded: "Roger. Maintain 150. Identified traffic 12 o'clock, reciprocal Saudia Boeing 747, 14 miles. Report in sight." The Kazakhstan crew replied by querying the distance to which the controller answered: "Fourteen miles now, roger 1907." When no reply followed he again warned: "Traffic in 13 miles, level 140."
Apparently the Kazakh aircraft had descended below its assigned altitude and was flying at 14500 feet. A few seconds later seconds later the Ilyushin had descended another 310 feet. Shortly afterwards both aircraft collided, plummeted down in flames and crashed in an arid farming area.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: The root and approximate cause of the collision was the unauthorised descending by the Kazak aircraft to FL-140 and failure to maintain the assigned FL-150.

The factors contributing to the unauthorised descent of Kazak aircraft to FL-140, departing from the assigned FL-150, were:
i) inadequate knowledge of English language of Kazak pilot, resulting in wrong interpretations of ATC instructions.
ii) poor airmanship and lack of proper CRM (Crew Resource Management) skill on the part of PIC (Pilot-in-Command) compounded by leadership quality lacking in him.
iii) Casual attitude of the crew and lack of coordination in the performance of their respective duties by crew of Kazak aircraft.
iv) Absence of standard callouts from any crew member.

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: CoI India
Status: Investigation completed
Accident number: final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Mid air collision
Loss of control

Sources:
» Aviation Week & Space Technology 18.11.96 (34-36)
» Civil aviation aircraft accident summary for the year 1996 (DGAC India)
» International Herald Tribune 6.5.1997


Photos

photo of Boeing-747-168B-HZ-AIH
accident date: 12-11-1996
type: Boeing 747-168B
registration: HZ-AIH
photo of Boeing-747-168B-HZ-AIH
accident date: 12-11-1996
type: Boeing 747-168B
registration: HZ-AIH
 

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 Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport to Dhahran International Airport as the crow flies is 2650 km (1656 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few 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: languages

Share

Boeing 747

  • 1574 built
  • 27th loss
  • 17th fatal accident
  • 4th worst accident
» safety profile

 India
  • The worst accident
» safety profile

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org