BOEING 737-200, PATNA, INDIA, JULY 17, 2000–What causes a flight crew to lose control of their aircraft, without mechanical failure as a catalyst, and stall on final approach in visual conditions? While we can never fully navigate a pilot’s psyche, a court of inquiry formed by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation recently released its findings into just such an accident. A Boeing 737 operated by Airlines Allied Services dba Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Indian Airlines, crashed, killing both pilots, four flight attendants, 45 passengers and five others on the ground. The court concluded probable cause as “loss of control of the aircraft due to human error.”
The two pilots–Capt. M.S Sohanpal, 35, and Capt. A.S. Bagga, 32–checked in for duty at 0545. They underwent preflight medical exams, including a standard breath test for alcohol. Medical officers found the crew fit for flight and the pilots moved on to weather and flight briefings.
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