1994 Indira Gandhi Airport collision

Sahara India Airlines

Industry	Aviation
Headquarters	Delhi , India
Products	Airline services

1994 Indira Gandhi International Airport Collision

On 8 March 1994, a Boeing 737 operated by Sahara India Airlines (then known as JetLite) crashed shortly after departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The aircraft collided with an Aeroflot Ilyushin Il-86, resulting in the total destruction of both airplanes. Tragically, all eight crew members aboard the two aircraft lost their lives, along with one individual on the ground. Neither plane was carrying passengers at the time of the accident. Investigations concluded that the primary cause of the incident was pilot error during a simulated engine failure exercise.

Aircraft

Built in 1979 for Busy Bee, this aircraft first took to the skies on April 25 of the same year. By October 1993, when it was acquired by Sahara India Airlines, the plane was approaching its 15th year of service. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 engines.

Flight crew

The team operating the flight included one flight instructor alongside three pilots undergoing training.

Accident

On Tuesday, March 8, 1994, the Boeing 737-200 departed from Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport in India. Prior to the incident, the aircraft had successfully completed five training maneuvers and landings. During the sixth exercise, while climbing to an altitude between 400–500 feet (120–150 m), it banked sharply to the left and crashed onto the International Terminal Apron. The debris struck an Aeroflot Ilyushin Il-86, Flight 558, stationed at Bay No. 45, causing that aircraft to catch fire as well. The crash resulted in the deaths of all four crew members aboard both aircraft, plus an airport oil company employee who was on the tarmac at the time.

Investigation

The inquiry conducted by the India Commercial Pilot Association (ICPA) determined that the mishap was triggered by a trainee pilot applying incorrect rudder input during an engine failure simulation. The flight instructor failed to supervise or restrict rudder movements and did not provide explicit instructions to prevent the trainee from using improper rudder control.