ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-8HG (WL) VT-AYB Cochin International Airport (COK)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Tuesday 5 September 2017
Time:02:40
Type:Silhouette image of generic B738 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
Operator:Air India Express
Registration: VT-AYB
MSN: 36338/2962
First flight: 2009-06-28 (8 years 2 months)
Total airframe hrs:26525
Cycles:9180
Engines: 2 CFMI CFM56-7B26
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 102
Total:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 108
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Aircraft fate: Repaired
Location:Cochin International Airport (COK) (   India)
Phase: Landing (LDG)
Nature:International Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH/OMAA), United Arab Emirates
Destination airport:Cochin International Airport (COK/VOCI), India
Flightnumber:IX452
Narrative:
Air India Express flight 452 was damaged in a taxiing accident at Cochin International Airport, India.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8HG (WL), landed on runway 27 at 02:37 hours local time following a flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport. After landing the aircraft vacated runway at exit C2 and was given taxi clearance to bay 23L via taxiways C, F and L.
While taxiing, the co-pilot stated to the captain: "Sir, go extremely slow because the runway mark at the marking over there might not be seen. So then we might have to call for follow me."
The captain did not respond to the suggestion to call for a Follow me vehicle. The co-pilot then informed the captain about passing taxiway E and stated "next is Foxtrot".
After crossing abeam taxiway E on taxiway C the captain made a premature left turn 90 meters before taxiway F. The aircraft entered in an open rain water drain (3 meter wide, 1.7 meter deep). The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft further moved forward on the damaged nose gear until the main landing gears entered the drain. Both engines and rear belly of the aircraft became the weight bearing member and main landing gear were freely suspended in the drain.

Probable Cause:

Probable cause of the Accident:
Incorrect judgement taken by PIC for initiating left turn short of the taxi track link (before Taxiway F), during night, in rain during reduced visibility conditions thus resulting the aircraft entering in open rain water drain.
Contributory factors:
1. Taxiway C centre line was barely visible during night in rains in reduced visibility conditions.
2. Dis-agreement of PIC with Co-pilot for requesting "Follow Me" jeep at Taxiway C.
3. Window of circadian low of PIC.

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: AAIB India
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 8 months
Accident number: final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Damaged on the ground

METAR Weather report:
20:30 UTC / 02:00 local time:
VOCI 042030Z 00000KT 4000 -RA FEW010 SCT012 OVC080 27/25 Q1009 NOSIG

21:00 UTC / 02:30 local time:
VOCI 042100Z 00000KT 4000 RA SCT008 SCT012 FEW025CB OVC080 27/25 Q1009 BECMG 3000 RA

21:30 UTC / 03:00 local time:
VOCI 042130Z 05006KT 3000 -RA SCT008 SCT012 FEW025CB OVC080 26/25 Q1009 NOSIG


Photos

photo of Boeing-737-8HG-VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
photo of Boeing-737-8HG-VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
photo of Boeing-737-8HG-VT-AYB
accident date: 05-09-2017
type: Boeing 737-8HG (WL)
registration: VT-AYB
photo of Boeing-737-8HG-VT-AYB
 

Video, social media

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Cochin International Airport as the crow flies is 2777 km (1736 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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