This happened while ferrying HJT 16 Kiran aircraft from Bhubaneshwar to Vizag. Group Captain Anil Singh then Flight Lieutenant and flight instructor had an engine flameout while descending during the approach. A critical life-threatening emergency with the added complexity of unidirectional landing restriction due to hills on two sides. A hair raising experience professionally handled in a calm and composed manner. Despite the terrain and unfamiliar airfield, the crew carried out a copybook PFL pattern, exhibited exceptional decision-making capability, and situational awareness and were on the ground in less than 60 seconds after declaring “MAYDAY”. His memoir….
20 May 1995
INS Dega, Vizag (Visakhapatnam)
Ferry flight Kalaikunda (KKD)- Bhuvaneshwar -Vizag en route to AFA Dundigal Hyderabad.
Five aircraft formation ferry flight.
Aircraft U 817 Kiran
F/L N Biswas Harpoon 1
F/L Ajay Singh 2
F/L Nagesh Kapoor 3
F/L Anil Singh/ Flt Cdt Shivraine 4
F/L Atanu Chatterjee. 5
In orbit over Vizag while Harpoon 1 & 2 were on the circuit. While orbiting overhead, I had engine flameout (Harpoon 4). After ascertaining the emergency, we immediately converted extra speed to height and attempted a relight. The relight was unsuccessful. We turned away from hills and decided to continue with the PFL pattern while attempting to intercept it at Low key pont. On base-leg, though high continued with forced landing pattern. We maintained higher speeds to descend faster. Our approach speeds were high. Landed on main wheels. Nose wheel collapsed due to high speed while decelerating.
Amazing and copybook support from formation members (R/T transcript below).
Thanks, Bis, Nagesh, Ajju, Chatto, and Shivraine. The SAR was asking for a start when we were decelerating. Time from Mayday to touch down 60 sec.
The aircraft is still in service at Hakimpet. I had the opportunity to fly again on the same aircraft in the year 2016 just before leaving service.
