Date:	Tuesday 22 May 1979
Time:	22:40
Type:	Boeing 737-2A8
Owner/operator:	Indian Airlines
Registration:	VT-EDS
MSN:	21164/435
Year of manufacture:	1975
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 131
Aircraft damage:	Substantial, repaired
Category:	Accident
Location:	Nagpur Airport (NAG) -   India
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Delhi-Palam Airport (DEL/VIDP)
Destination airport:	Nagpur-Sonegaon Airport (NAG/VANP)
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
Indian Airlines flight IC540 landed at runway 14 of Nagpur Airport at 22:40 hours local time. Just after touchdown, the captain saw three cows on the runway about 1000-1500 ft ahead. At this stage, the pilot was not able to avoid the animals and hit all tree cows.
The aircraft was fully controllable and was decelerating satisfactorily even after hitting the cows, but subsequently lost braking and nose-wheel steering control after turning into the apron. The nose gear right-hand wheel hit a small brick wall at the end of the apron and the aircraft finally came to rest with the nose wheel going 3 feet out of the apron and getting bogged down.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage but all members of crew and passengers escaped unhurt. There was no fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The cause of the accident has been attributed to the presence of three cows in front of the aircraft just after its touchdown. Ineffective inspection of operational area before flight was contributory factor."

Civil aircraft accidents 1979 / Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, CAD, ASD

Other occurrences involving this aircraft

8 February 1985	VT-EDS	Indian Airlines	0	Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU)		sub
Runway mishap
1 November 1987	VT-EDS	Indian Airlines	0	Bangalore-Hindustan Airport (BLR)		sub
28 December 1996	VT-EDS	Blue Dart Aviation	0	Bangalore-Hindustan Airport (BLR)		sub

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