Madras - New Delhi

On May 31, 1973 at 09:58 PM, Madras - New Delhi experienced a crash involving Boeing 737-200, operated by Indian Airlines, with the event recorded near New Delhi-Palam National Capital Territory of Delhi.

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.

65 people were known to be on board, 48 fatalities were recorded, 17 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 73.8%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 58, passenger fatalities: 43, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to New Delhi-Palam Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In below-minimum visibility, despite he was unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to continue the approach and passed below the glide. With the flaps down to 40°, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames near the district of Vasant Vihar, about 3 km east of the airport. Five crew members and 43 passengers were killed while 17 other occupants were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration VT-EAM, MSN 20486/279, year of manufacture 1971.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 28.5956°, 77.0809°.