What Went Wrong on Indian Airlines Flight 605?

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On February 14, 1990, Indian Airlines Flight 605, a scheduled domestic flight from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Bangalore (now Bengaluru), ended in tragedy during its final approach to Bangalore's HAL Airport. The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320-231 (registration VT-EPN), a relatively new and technologically advanced "fly-by-wire" aircraft at the time.

As the flight prepared for landing on Runway 09 in good weather conditions, the flight crew selected an inappropriate autopilot mode known as "Open Descent" for the final phase of the approach. This mode caused the aircraft to descend rapidly below the standard glideslope without the crew adequately monitoring the decreasing airspeed and altitude.

Critically low and slow, just moments from the runway threshold, the aircraft received automated warnings. The pilots attempted a go-around procedure by applying full thrust, but due to the low altitude and speed, the aircraft stalled.

It impacted the ground approximately 700 meters (less than half a mile) short of the runway, within the grounds of the Karnataka Golf Association course. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft.

Out of the 146 people on board (139 passengers and 7 crew), 92 lost their lives (88 passengers and 4 crew, including both pilots). Miraculously, 54 people survived, although many sustained serious injuries.

The official investigation determined the cause to be pilot error. Specifically, it cited the crew's failure to maintain situational awareness of altitude and speed while using an incorrect autopilot mode during the critical final approach phase, leading to a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The accident raised significant questions about pilot training and adaptation to highly automated cockpits in the early years of such technology.

Fact Check: The detailed account of Indian Airlines Flight 605, including the specifics of the Airbus A320's systems (Fly-by-Wire, Glass Cockpit), the approach procedures (ILS vs. Open Descent), the crash sequence, casualty figures, rescue efforts, and the official investigation findings attributing the cause to pilot error leading to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), is based on official reports and established aviation safety records. Source: Aviation Safety Network (ASN) Accident Description for Indian Airlines Flight 605 (VT-EPN), official DGCA investigation summaries, and reputable aviation safety publications analyzing the human factors involved.