On a fateful day, January 1, 1978, a Boeing 747, carrying 213 passengers and crew members, took off from Bombay, India, for Dubai. The flight, operated by Air India as Flight 855, was supposed to be a routine journey, but it turned into a heartbreaking disaster. Less than two minutes after lift-off, the aircraft plunged into the Arabian Sea, claiming the lives of all on board.
This devastating accident shocked the world and became one of the most tragic incidents in aviation history. The incident, forever etched in the annals of aviation, holds a chilling reminder of the fragility of human life and the need for meticulous attention to detail in aviation safety.
A Journey Cut Short
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-237B named “Emperor Ashoka,” was a relatively new plane manufactured in 1971. At the helm of this majestic airliner was Captain Madan Lal Kukar, a seasoned pilot with an impressive 18,000 flight hours under his belt. He was joined by First Officer Indu Virmani, a former Indian Air Force commander, and Flight Engineer Alfredo Faria, one of Air India’s most senior flight engineers.
The crew was experienced and highly respected, and the aircraft was in excellent condition. Everything seemed to be going according to plan until the aircraft began its scheduled right turn after takeoff.
A Fatal Misjudgment
One minute after takeoff, Captain Kukar initiated the right turn over the Arabian Sea. However, the aircraft unexpectedly rolled to the left and failed to regain a level flight. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured the tense moments in the cockpit as the crew struggled to understand what was happening.
The Captain noticed that his Attitude Direction Indicator (ADI), a vital instrument that provides information about the aircraft’s position, was malfunctioning. He reported this to his crew. However, First Officer Virmani, whose instrument seemed to be functioning correctly, incorrectly assumed that the captain was experiencing a false reading.
The lack of visual references, as the aircraft was flying over the dark Arabian Sea after sunset, added to the confusion. The flight engineer, recognizing the severity of the situation, frantically tried to direct the captain’s attention to the third backup ADI, but it was too late.
A Descent into Tragedy
The captain’s misinterpretation of the instruments led him to make incorrect control inputs, further exacerbating the situation. The aircraft rolled further left and began a rapid descent. Tragically, just 101 seconds after leaving the runway, the Boeing 747 crashed into the Arabian Sea at a steep angle.
The wreckage revealed no evidence of an explosion, fire, or any mechanical failure. The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the Captain’s misjudgment and his failure to rely on other flight instruments. This tragic incident underscored the importance of proper training, thorough understanding of aircraft systems, and maintaining situational awareness in challenging conditions.
Lessons Learned
The Air India Flight 855 crash stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of pilot error, the importance of reliable instruments, and the need for effective training and procedures. This devastating event prompted changes in flight safety protocols and reinforced the need for constant vigilance in the aviation industry.
Today, Air India continues to serve the Mumbai-Dubai route, ensuring the safety and well-being of its passengers with advanced technology and highly trained pilots. While the memory of Flight 855 serves as a somber reminder of the risks inherent in air travel, the aviation industry continues to strive for perfection, striving to prevent such tragedies from ever occurring again.
