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."
Runway mishap
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 22 May 1979 |
| Time: | 22:40 |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-2A8 |
| Operator: | Indian Airlines |
| Registration: | VT-EDS |
| MSN: | 21164/435 |
| First flight: | 1975-10-06 (3 years 8 months) |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 125 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 131 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Nagpur Airport (NAG) ( India)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Delhi-Palam Airport (DEL/VIDP), India |
| Nagpur-Sonegaon Airport (NAG/VANP), India | |
| Flightnumber: | IC540 |
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:
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."
Classification:
Collision with person or animal on the ground Runway mishap
Sources:
» Civil aircraft accidents 1979 / Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, CAD, ASDPhotos
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-Palam Airport to Nagpur-Sonegaon Airport as the crow flies is 849 km (530 miles).
Distance from Delhi-Palam Airport to Nagpur-Sonegaon Airport as the crow flies is 849 km (530 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