9I746 - Accident: Alliance AT72 at Bhubaneswar on Oct 8th 2024

An Alliance Air Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration VT-RKF performing flight 9I-746 from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar (India) with 43 passengers and 4 crew, was on final approach to Bhubaneswar's runway 14 at 14:21L (08:51Z) when the aircraft contacted a number of approach lights and touched down ahead of the runway threshold. The aircraft slowed without further incident and vacated the runway at a mid taxiway.

India's AAIB reported the aircraft received damage while passing through the approach lights, the aircraft's tail touched the ground before the runway threshold. The AAIB opened an investigation into the occurrence.

The aircraft is still on the ground in Bhubaneswar standing Apr 28th 2025 (6.5 months later).

There were no short term NOTAMs published for Bhubaneswar after 2022, the last long term/permanent NOTAM of Aug 6th 2024 read "BHUBANESHWAR ASMGCS COMMISSIONED. INSERT IN AD 2 VEBS OF EAIP INDIA ACCORDINGLY."

On Apr 28th 2025 India's CAA released their preliminary report summarizing the sequence of events:

On October 8, 2024, aircraft VT-RKF operated a sector from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar with 43 passengers and 4 crew members on board. Prior to this flight, VT-RKF had completed four uneventful sorties. During the initial approach, at 10 DME ILS, Bhubaneswar ATC instructed the aircraft to hold due to adverse weather conditions and traffic congestion at the Bhubaneswar airport.

After briefing the crew on the weather conditions, which included heavy rain and a visibility of 800 meters, the aircraft was cleared to continue the approach on the ILS at 10 DME. Additionally, ATC instructed the crew to report the aircraft's position at 5 DME and then again at 4.8 DME.

At 4.8 DME, aircraft VT-RKF cleared up for landing on runway 14. ATC also advised the crew that, in case of a go-around, shall execute a left turn towards a heading of 120°, and the crew acknowledged the same and up to 1,000 feet, no rain was observed by the Crew.

However, as the aircraft neared the minimums, the crew encountered heavy rain, but the approach lights became visible. The crew requested ATC to increase the intensity of the approach lights for runway 14, and this request was promptly done by ATC. The aircraft continued to approach and was at the final approach at 08:50 UTC. The crew felt the aircraft sink and experienced unusual vibrations inside the cockpit, just as it was approaching the runway 14 threshold.

At this point, the aircraft hits one CAT I approach light and four CAT II approach lights before making its touchdown 43.5 meters short of the edge of runway 14. After landing, the aircraft cleared up to park at stand 2. Meanwhile, an outbound flight, AXB 1327 (a Boeing 737-800), which was holding at the holding point for runway 14 at taxiway J, reported FOD on the runway 14. This led to the cancellation of the outbound flight’s takeoff clearance.

At 09:07, the pilot-in-command (PIC) of VT-RKF reported to ATC via landline that there was a suspected tail strike during the landing. There were no injuries to any occupants on board and no fire occurred.

Related Flight: 9I746, Air India Regional News