Investigation Points At Pilot Error In Deadly Air India Express Crash

The AAIB has released its long-awaited investigation into the crash of Air India flight IX1344 from Dubai to Kozhikode. The report cites pilot error as the probable cause of the crash, along with systemic issues at AI Express. Overall, the report gives us an insight into what occurred on August 7th and why Air India Express has now seen two deadly crashes in the last decade.

Air India Express 737 Kozhikode
The 737-800 overshot the runway and crashed into the ravine at the end of the tabletop runway, killing 21. Photo: Dhruvarahjs via Wikimedia Commons

Changes

According to The Times Of India, the AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) has released its final report on the crash of IX1344 last year. Investigators have cited the probable cause of the crash as pilot error, particularly the decision to continue the second attempt at landing despite adverse conditions.

However, it was not only pilot error cited in the report, with failures from air traffic controllers and Air India Express at large in play too. For instance, controllers failed to inform IX1344 that the tailwind stood at 29km/hr and not 18km/hr, right after switching to Runway 10 from Runway 28, which had a headwind at the time.

The crash tragically killed 21, including both pilots, and over a hundred injured, all of whom were repatriated from the UAE. Photo: Getty Images

The report also admonished Air India Express’ systems, lack of adequate staffing, and maintenance issues. IX1344 lost its cockpit windshield wipers on the captain’s side for 27 seconds during the last minutes of the flight at 1,881ft. Moreover, the captain told controllers that he had to staff another flight from Kozhikode to Doha the next morning, possibly being a reason to avoid delays or diversion to another airport.

In the report, head investigator Surender Singh Chahal said,

“The role of systemic failures as a contributory factor cannot be overlooked in this accident. A large number of similar accidents/incidents that have continued to take place, more so in Air India Express, reinforce existing systemic failures within the aviation sector…These usually occur due to prevailing safety culture that gives rise to errors, mistakes, and violation of routine tasks performed by people operating within the system.”

Concerns

Coming into land in Kozhikode after a routine flight from Dubai turned deadly as the weather changed. With rains lashing the city, the pilots of IX1344 attempted to land once at Runway 28 but opted to abort due to the conditions. However, instead of diverting, the aircraft once again tried to land, this time at Runway 10.

Seconds after autopilot was disengaged for landing, the 737 deviated from set navigation paths, leading to an unstabilized approach. When the first officer pointed this out, the captain corrected for the path, but overcorrected. The report instead said that the pilot should have completed a go-around or diverted altogether at this point.

Air Inida Express 737
The 737-800s fuselage split into two during the impact of crashing down from the runway. Photo: Getty Images

However, the captain continued with the unstabilized approach, crossing the runway threshold height at 92ft instead of 50ft. The aircraft touched down halfway in the runway at 4,438ft out of 8,858ft at speed of 165 knots and with 15km/hr of tailwind. The burst of engine power right before touchdown meant the thrust reverses were not engaged in time, causing the aircraft to overrun Runway 10 at 84knots and crash into the ravine at the end of the tabletop.

The report raises several red flags at Air India Express, and corrections must take place. Sadly, the story of IX1344 ends here, with the investigation complete and prayers that such an accident never occurs again.

The Simple Flying team would like to once again express its condolences to all those affected by the crash.



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