Air India Plane Crash Report: Key Findings & Safety Impact

The Air India Plane Crash Report: Unpacking Causes, Failures, and Aviation Safety Reforms

Introduction

On August 7, 2020, Air India Express Flight IX-1344 crashed at Kozhikode’s Calicut International Airport, killing 21 passengers and injuring 184. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)’s final report exposed systemic flaws in India’s aviation safety protocols. This analysis breaks down the report’s findings, the chain of errors, and urgent reforms needed to prevent future tragedies.

---

1. Incident Overview: What Happened?

Flight IX-1344, a Boeing 737-800 repatriating Indians from Dubai during COVID-19, overshot the “tabletop” runway during heavy rain. The aircraft plunged 35 feet into a gorge, splitting in two. Key facts:

• Flight Path: Dubai (DXB) to Calicut (CCJ).
• Critical Conditions: Monsoon rains, 40-knot tailwinds, poor visibility.
• Casualties: 21 fatalities (including both pilots), 184 injured.

---

2. AAIB Report: 5 Critical Failures

The AAIB’s 258-page report identified a cascade of errors:

A. Pilot Decision-Making

• Ignored Go-Around Protocols: Despite 3 unstable approach warnings, the captain proceeded with landing.
• Tailwind Landing: Attempted landing with 15-knot tailwinds (exceeding Boeing’s 10-knot limit).

B. Runway Safety Violations

• Short Runway: Calicut’s Runway 10 (2,720m) lacked a 90m “Runway End Safety Area” (RESA).
• Poor Friction: Waterlogging reduced runway friction by 60%—unreported to pilots.

C. Systemic Oversight Lapses

• Fatigued Crew: Pilots flew 12+ hours without adequate rest.
• ATC Shortcomings: Controllers failed to relay heavy rain alerts.

D. Aircraft Maintenance Issues

• Autobrake Malfunction: System deactivated during landing—undetected in pre-flight checks.
• Thrust Reversers: Only partially deployed.

E. Regulatory Gaps

• DGCA allowed tabletop landings without RESA—against ICAO standards.

🔗 Reference: AAIB’s full investigation protocol (Official AAIB Site)

---

3. Why Tabletop Runways Are Deadly

India has 5 tabletop runways (Mangalore, Kozhikode, Lengpui, Pakyong, Shimla). Their risks:

• No Margin for Error: Short stretches ending in cliffs/valleys.
• Historical Warnings: 2010 Mangalore crash (158 deaths) had identical causes.
• AAIB’s Directive: Ban landings on tabletop runways during monsoons or tailwinds >10 knots.

---

4. 4 Safety Reforms Triggered by the Crash

A. Crew Training Overhaul

• Stabilized Approach Training: Mandatory simulator drills for monsoon landings.
• Fatigue Audits: Real-time crew monitoring via DGCA’s FIT software.

B. Infrastructure Upgrades

• RESA Expansion: 90m buffer zones mandated at all tabletop runways by 2025.
• Friction Testers: Installed at 6 Indian airports.

C. Policy Changes

• Weather Minimums: Landing banned if crosswinds >25 knots or visibility <1,500m.
• Go-Around Culture: Penalties waived for diversions due to weather.

D. Technology Interventions

• EMAS Installations: Arrestor beds (like at Mumbai’s Runway 14) to halt overruns.

🔗 Reference: ICAO’s Runway Safety Guidelines (ICAO Official Site)

---

5. Global Lessons: Comparing Air India to Similar Crashes

Crash	Cause	Reform Adopted
Air India IX-1344 (2020)	Unstable approach + tabletop runway	RESA expansion, EMAS beds
Mangalore Air India (2010)	Runway overrun	Pilot retraining, ATC upgrades
Turkish Airlines 1951 (2009)	Altimeter malfunction	Automated cockpit warnings

🔗 Reference: NTSB Safety Recommendations (NTSB Database)

---

6. Unresolved Questions & Criticisms

• Why No RESA Earlier?: DGCA knew Calicut lacked RESA since 2012.
• ATC Accountability: Controllers faced no disciplinary action.
• Survivor Compensation: Families await ₹1 crore settlements (pending court cases).

---

7. The Future of Indian Aviation Safety

• DGCA’s 2024 Targets: AI-driven risk prediction, 100% RESA compliance.
• Global Partnerships: Boeing to train 200 Indian pilots in monsoon landings.
• Passenger Advocacy: Apps like SafeSkies to report unsafe conditions.

---

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Aviation

The Air India crash was preventable. While reforms are underway, lasting change requires cultural shifts: prioritizing safety over schedules, empowering crews to abort landings, and enforcing global standards. As AAIB notes, “Runway ends should not be cliffs—they must be safety nets.”