Shimla – Kathmandu
Flight / Schedule
Shimla – Kathmandu
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
VT-DBA
MSN
13165
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Indian AirlinesDate
May 15, 1956 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Kathmandu Bagmati
Region
Asia • Nepal
Coordinates
27.6968°, 85.3217°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On May 15, 1956 at 12:00 AM, Shimla – Kathmandu experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Indian Airlines, with the event recorded near Kathmandu Bagmati.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
33 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 18 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 45.5%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 30, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 1.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The landing at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan was completed at an excessive speed. On touchdown, the aircraft bounced several times before landing firmly. After few dozen yards, the pilot-in-command added power in an attempt to go around when the airplane overran and crashed into a ravine. Nineteen occupants were injured while 14 others plus one person on the ground were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration VT-DBA, MSN 13165, year of manufacture 1944.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 27.6968°, 85.3217°.
Fatalities
Total
15
Crew
3
Passengers
11
Other
1
Crash Summary
The landing at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan was completed at an excessive speed. On touchdown, the aircraft bounced several times before landing firmly. After few dozen yards, the pilot-in-command added power in an attempt to go around when the airplane overran and crashed into a ravine. Nineteen occupants were injured while 14 others plus one person on the ground were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
30
Estimated Survivors
18
Fatality Rate
45.5%
Known people on board: 33
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Shimla – Kathmandu
Operator
Indian AirlinesFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • Nepal
Aircraft Details
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