Probe report on Kozhikode air crash lists non-adherence to SOP by pilot as probable cause

The final probe report on the Air India Express Kozhikode air crash that took place on August 7, 2020 released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) states the probable cause of the accident was non-adherence to the standard operating procedure by the pilot flying the aircraft. It also noted that the role of systemic failures as a contributory factor cannot be overlooked in this accident.

“The probable cause of the accident was the non-adherence to SOP by the PF (Pilot Flying), wherein, he continued an unstabilized approach and landed beyond the touchdown zone, half way down the runway, in spite of ‘Go Around’ call by PM (Pilot Monitoring) which warranted a mandatory ‘Go Around’ and the failure of the PM to take over controls and execute a ‘Go Around’,” the report noted.