Last updated: 10 July 2020
| Status: | |
| Date: | Saturday 25 July 1953 |
| Type: |  de Havilland DH-106 Comet 1 |
| Operator: | British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC |
| Registration: | G-ALYR |
| C/n / msn: | 06004 |
| First flight: | 1951-07-28 (2 years) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 36 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 42 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU) ( India)
|
| Phase: | Taxi (TXI) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU/VECC), India |
| Delhi-Safdarjung Airport (VIDD), India |
Because taxi lights were too dim to use at night, the crew had to use the landing lights while taxiing. Both lights had to be alternated left and right to avoid a meltdown by using a switch behind the captains seat. In a left hand turn the captain took his left hand off the steering wheel to select another landing light. The steering centered, and then the aircraft right wheel bogies ran off the paved surface. Engine power was applied on the two right engines, causing the bogie struts to be forced up and into the wing structure causing much damage.
Sources:
» The Indian Express - Jul 26, 1953Photos
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 Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport to Delhi-Safdarjung Airport as the crow flies is 1297 km (811 miles).
Distance from Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport to Delhi-Safdarjung Airport as the crow flies is 1297 km (811 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.
