2018 UY Aviation King Air C90 crash

On 28 June 2018, at about 1:15 pm, a Beechcraft C90 King Air aircraft chartered from UY Aviation Pvt Ltd with the registration VT-UPZ crashed at Jagruti Nagar in the suburb of Ghatkopar in Mumbai.[1] The 12-seater aircraft carried 4 people including the pilot. All people on board plus one person on the ground are confirmed dead.[2][3][4]

2018 UY aviation King Air C90 crash, Ghatkopar
A King Air C90, similar to the aircraft that crashed
Accident
DateJune 28, 2018 (2018-06-28)
SummaryUnder investigation
SiteJagruti Nagar, Ghatkopar, Mumbai, India
19.092°N 72.904°E / 19.092; 72.904
Total fatalities5
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBeechcraft C90 King Air
OperatorUY Aviation
RegistrationVT-UPZ
Flight originJuhu Aerodrome
DestinationJuhu Aerodrome
Occupants4
Passengers0
Crew4
Fatalities4
Survivors0
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities1

As a result of the crash, a fire broke out in the built-up area. Local firefighters and police responded to the accident. It is believed that there are no further casualties.[5][6]

The aircraft had departed from Juhu Aerodrome for a test flight. Five people lost their lives in this accident; 2 pilots, 1 Technician, 1 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, and 1 civilian.[7] The cause of the accident is unknown as of July 2018.[8]

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board released the final investigation report in Dec 2018. The probable cause of the accident as per the report was a stall caused by lack of situational awareness due to spatial disorientation triggered by deteriorating weather, a transition from ILS(IMC) to visual flying (Partial VMC) and unexpected bank owing to differential engine power. The report indicts the Indian DGCA for violation of regulations in granting the Air Operator Permit.

The aircraft VT-UPZ was previously owned by the Uttar Pradesh government. In 2014 the aircraft met with an accident[9] in Allahabad in which there was substantial damage but the DGCA investigation termed it as a minor incident. Taking advantage of this report, the certificate of airworthiness was not cancelled. Over the next decade, the aircraft changed ownership and was transported to Mumbai where the repair work was carried out under the supervision of the DGCA.

Capt. Amit Singh FRAeS an aviation safety and human factors blogger carried out a detailed independent analysis of the accident and submitted the report to the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, India[10]. Capt. Amit Singh has stated that the AAIB investigation is manipulated and does not correctly identify the cause of the accident, therefore, needs an investigation by a court of inquiry. The investigation has completely shielded the operator who was granted an Air Operator Permit by the Indian DGCA without having filled the mandatory post of the Chief of Safety.

As per the technical report, both engines malfunctioned in flight probably due to which the aircraft crashed.

References

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