Indian Airlines Flight 403


Indian Airlines Flight 403 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad to Bangalore. On 17 December 1978, the Boeing 737-2A8 crashed during takeoff, killing one passenger and causing three additional ground casualties.

Aircraft

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-2A8 registered as VT-EAL. The plane was seven years and ten months old at the time of the crash. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A turbojet engines.

Accident

During takeoff from Runway 09 at Begumpet Airport, the aircraft entered a stall. The flight crew aborted the takeoff and attempted a wheels-up landing. The aircraft skidded, overshooting the runway and breaking the airport's perimeter fence before coming to a stop in flames. One passenger was killed, along with three more people who were cutting grass near the airport fence at the time of the accident.

Investigation

Investigators determined that the leading edge devices were not extended during rotation due to a technical fault.