Indian Airlines Flight 440


Indian Airlines Flight 440 was a flight on 31 May 1973 that crashed while on approach to Palam Airport killing 48 of the 65 passengers and crew on board.

Accident

Flight 440 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Madras, Tamil Nadu to New Delhi. A Boeing 737 named Saranga was used for the flight. As Flight 440 approached Palam International Airport in driving dust and a rainstorm, the aircraft struck high tension wires during a NDB approach with visibility below minimal. The aircraft crashed and caught fire. 48 of the 65 passengers and crew on board Flight 440 perished in the accident. Rescue officials said the survivors were in the front of the aircraft, although one survivor reported sitting in the back row.
The survivors included three Americans and two Japanese. The dead included four Americans, three people from the United Kingdom, and one woman from Yemen. Among the dead was Indian Minister of Iron and Steel Mines, Mohan Kumaramangalam.

Cause

Investigators determined the Indian Airlines Flight 440 crash was caused by the crew descending below the minimum decision height.