In recent past an aircraft engaged in a private operation was involved in an accident while landing at an airfield in hilly area. The airstrip where landing was being effected is surrounded by mountainous terrain/valleys with a slight downward slope on the approach end of the strip. The accident flight was the first route flight by the pilot to this airfield although he had carried out one circuit and landing on this strip earlier. Investigation into the accident has revealed that the pilot's limited familiarity to operate on the strip was a contributory factor to the accident.

All the operators are advised to bring this Circular to the notice of their flight crew and may take steps that pilots before operating the flights in command at such critical airfields should have adequate familiarity with the route and terrain under the supervision of an experienced pilot who should have operated at the airfield earlier. In case no experienced pilot for that critical airfield is available, the pilot intending to operate for the first time should carry out trial landing after adequate briefings without any passengers on board before operating any flight with passengers to the critical airfield.

  (V.K. Chandna)

Director Air Safety

25th August, 1995

To

All Operators