Narrative:
Air India Express flight 452 was damaged in a taxiing accident at Cochin International Airport, India.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8HG (WL), landed on runway 27 at 02:37 hours local time following a flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport. After landing the aircraft vacated runway at exit C2 and was given taxi clearance to bay 23L via taxiways C, F and L.
While taxiing, the co-pilot stated to the captain: "Sir, go extremely slow because the runway mark at the marking over there might not be seen. So then we might have to call for follow me."
The captain did not respond to the suggestion to call for a Follow me vehicle. The co-pilot then informed the captain about passing taxiway E and stated "next is Foxtrot".
After crossing abeam taxiway E on taxiway C the captain made a premature left turn 90 meters before taxiway F. The aircraft entered in an open rain water drain (3 meter wide, 1.7 meter deep). The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft further moved forward on the damaged nose gear until the main landing gears entered the drain. Both engines and rear belly of the aircraft became the weight bearing member and main landing gear were freely suspended in the drain.
Probable cause of the Accident:
Incorrect judgement taken by PIC for initiating left turn short of the taxi track link (before Taxiway F), during night, in rain during reduced visibility conditions thus resulting the aircraft entering in open rain water drain.
Contributory factors:
1. Taxiway C centre line was barely visible during night in rains in reduced visibility conditions.
2. Dis-agreement of PIC with Co-pilot for requesting "Follow Me" jeep at Taxiway C.
3. Window of circadian low of PIC.
VOCI 042030Z 00000KT 4000 -RA FEW010 SCT012 OVC080 27/25 Q1009 NOSIG
21:00 UTC / 02:30 local time:
VOCI 042100Z 00000KT 4000 RA SCT008 SCT012 FEW025CB OVC080 27/25 Q1009 BECMG 3000 RA
21:30 UTC / 03:00 local time:
VOCI 042130Z 05006KT 3000 -RA SCT008 SCT012 FEW025CB OVC080 26/25 Q1009 NOSIG
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 5 September 2017 |
| Time: | 02:40 |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-8HG (WL) |
| Operator: | Air India Express |
| Registration: | VT-AYB |
| MSN: | 36338/2962 |
| First flight: | 2009-06-28 (8 years 2 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 26525 |
| Cycles: | 9180 |
| Engines: | 2 CFMI CFM56-7B26 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 102 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 108 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Cochin International Airport (COK) ( India)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH/OMAA), United Arab Emirates |
| Cochin International Airport (COK/VOCI), India | |
| Flightnumber: | IX452 |
Air India Express flight 452 was damaged in a taxiing accident at Cochin International Airport, India.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8HG (WL), landed on runway 27 at 02:37 hours local time following a flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport. After landing the aircraft vacated runway at exit C2 and was given taxi clearance to bay 23L via taxiways C, F and L.
While taxiing, the co-pilot stated to the captain: "Sir, go extremely slow because the runway mark at the marking over there might not be seen. So then we might have to call for follow me."
The captain did not respond to the suggestion to call for a Follow me vehicle. The co-pilot then informed the captain about passing taxiway E and stated "next is Foxtrot".
After crossing abeam taxiway E on taxiway C the captain made a premature left turn 90 meters before taxiway F. The aircraft entered in an open rain water drain (3 meter wide, 1.7 meter deep). The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft further moved forward on the damaged nose gear until the main landing gears entered the drain. Both engines and rear belly of the aircraft became the weight bearing member and main landing gear were freely suspended in the drain.
Probable Cause:
Probable cause of the Accident:
Incorrect judgement taken by PIC for initiating left turn short of the taxi track link (before Taxiway F), during night, in rain during reduced visibility conditions thus resulting the aircraft entering in open rain water drain.
Contributory factors:
1. Taxiway C centre line was barely visible during night in rains in reduced visibility conditions.
2. Dis-agreement of PIC with Co-pilot for requesting "Follow Me" jeep at Taxiway C.
3. Window of circadian low of PIC.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Damaged on the ground
METAR Weather report:
20:30 UTC / 02:00 local time:VOCI 042030Z 00000KT 4000 -RA FEW010 SCT012 OVC080 27/25 Q1009 NOSIG
21:00 UTC / 02:30 local time:
VOCI 042100Z 00000KT 4000 RA SCT008 SCT012 FEW025CB OVC080 27/25 Q1009 BECMG 3000 RA
21:30 UTC / 03:00 local time:
VOCI 042130Z 05006KT 3000 -RA SCT008 SCT012 FEW025CB OVC080 26/25 Q1009 NOSIG
Photos
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
Video, social media
Air India Express IX452 Abu Dhabi-kochi veered off from taxi way, passengers evacuated, safe. @AviationSafety pic.twitter.com/RNbP2ad32B
— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) September 5, 2017
— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) September 5, 2017
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 Abu Dhabi International Airport to Cochin International Airport as the crow flies is 2777 km (1736 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Cochin International Airport as the crow flies is 2777 km (1736 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
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.
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