Air India Flight 855 Crash: Human Blunder and Instrument Malfunction Led to Catastrophe
Wreaking Havoc in the Sky: The Tragic Crash of Air India Flight 855
On a fateful New Year's Eve, the world sighed as Air India Flight 855 met its end in the Arabian Sea, just 101 seconds after takeoff. This catastrophe, which occurred on January 1, 1978, claimed the lives of all 213 passengers and crews onboard, making it one of the most devastating incidents in Indian aviation history.
The Majestic Emperor Ashoka
Boasting luxurious interiors like a "palace in the sky," Emperor Ashoka was Air India's first Boeing 747. Delivered in 1971, the helicopter's richness included a first-class lounge on the upper deck adorned with Indian art murals, symbolic of India's growing influence in global aviation. The pilot of this fateful flight was Madan Lal Kukar, a seasoned veteran with over 18,000 flying hours. Let's not forget First Officer Indu Virmani, a former Indian Air Force pilot, and Flight Engineer Alfredo Faria, who accompanied him.
A Tumultuous Flight
Departing from Bombay's Santa Cruz Airport (now Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) at approximately 8:12 PM, Flight 855 began on a seemingly innocuous note. However, during the flight, air traffic control requested the aircraft to report back upon reaching a height of 8,000 feet. Captain Kukar confirmed the request and exchanged the friendly words, "Happy New Year," with the air traffic controller – little did they know, those would be their final words.
Seconds into the flight, disaster struck. The aircraft's Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) malfunctioned, causing Captain Kukar to believe there was a right bank, when in reality, the aircraft was level. Attempting to correct the situation, he unwittingly worsened it further. The first officer's ADI also faltered, making the situation even more chaotic. Navigating the dark Arabian Sea with no visible horizon, the crew failed to regain control of the aircraft, causing it to plunge into the sea at a terrifying 108-degree angle.
Investigations and Findings
Indian aviation authorities launched an investigation to uncover the roots of this calamity. They concluded that the ADI malfunction and the crew's inability to cross-check their instruments were the primary causes. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation emphasized the failure to utilize other available instruments, such as the backup ADI and turn and bank indicators.
Initial reports pointed towards a remote possibility of sabotage due to witnesses' claims of an explosion. However, after extended investigation, these theories were dismissed. The crash was ruled an accident, predominantly attributed to pilot error and equipment failure, with no signs of foul play.
Indelible Scars in the Aviation Industry
The crash left lasting implications for both Air India and the global aviation industry. The disaster illuminated the urgent need for better crew resource management and pilot training in handling spatial disorientation and equipment malfunctions. Reviews of cockpit procedures and instrument reliability were carried out, though the manufacturers involved were cleared of wrongdoing. The ghost of the Emperor Ashoka lingers in the memories of the people who witnessed the tragedy. For years, locals in Mumbai have tried to commemorate the victims, but an official plaque remains absent.
In conclusion, the crash of Air India Flight 855 serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks in aviation. The lessons learned from this tragedy have been woven into safety practices, ensuring that the legacy of the Emperor Ashoka stands not just as a memorial to past sorrow but as a beacon guiding future safety protocols.
References:
- Flight 855 - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_India_Flight_855
- Investigation into the wreckage: https://www.acearchive.org.uk/investigation-into-the-wreckage/
- Images of the Boeing 747-237B: https://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-India/Boeing-747-237B/0574902/LPhoto
- Map source: https://www.maps-mumbai.com/mumbai-outline-map
- Despite the luxurious Boeing 747, named Emperor Ashoka, being equipped with state-of-the-art features in 1971, aviation safety incidents, such as the malfunctioning Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) in Air India Flight 855, underscore the importance of continuous advancements in aviation technology and crew resource management.
- The aviation history books were forever marked by the Air India Flight 855 tragedy, with the catastrophic accident on January 1, 1978, serving as a case study for understanding the interplay of human error, equipment failure, and aviation accidents, while emphasizing the necessity of industry vigilance in maintaining flight safety.
- The crash of Air India Flight 855 left a profound impact on the global aviation industry, financially and beyond, as it highlighted the need for enhanced pilot training and examination of aircraft components' reliability against financing and aerospace considerations.
