Around 200 pilots and ground staff of various airlines gathered at the airport and paid their respects when the mortal remains of co-pilot Akhilesh Kumar, who died in the Kozhikode flight crash, reached Delhi in the early hours of Sunday, officials said.
Indian investigators on Sunday began examining the black box of a Boeing-737 that overshot a runway on its second attempt, killing 18 people in the country's worst aviation accident in a decade.
The tabletop structure of the runway at the Kozhikode airport has been cited as one of the reasons for the fatal crash of the Air India Express plane on the night of August 7. Besides Kozhikode, only two other Indian airports with scheduled flights have such a runway: Mangaluru and Lengpui (Manipur). It's difficult to land aircraft on tabletop runways even during perfect weather conditions. Why are such runways considered risky?
Soon we will have all transcripts from recovered black boxes. We are also going to talk to Boeing to examine aircraft’s original equipment & check for defects. Only after conducting a thorough & unbiased probe, can we tell what exactly happened, said Anil Kumar, Director General, DGCA.
Since it is an international airport, international aviation bodies are welcome to aid us in the investigation, said Anil Kumar.
(ANI)
The black box of Air India Express flight that crash-landed at Kozhikode Airport, Kerala on August 7, brought to Delhi and kept at Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) lab for examination.
In case of Kozhikode accident, enquiry ordered under Aircraft Act,Black Box recovered. Findings will be made public, said UnionAviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Within an hour after the Air India Express accident at Kozhikode International Airport, also known asKaripur tabletop airport, the Twitterati were highlighting how Karipur and Mangaluru Air crash in 2010 had many similarities.
Mortal remains of co-pilot Akhilesh Kumar who lost his life in the flight crash landing incident at Kozhikode in Kerala, reaches his native place in Mathura. (ANI)
A day after the crash of anAirIndiaExpress plane, aviation safety expert Captain Ranganathan, who had earlier flagged concerns about Kozhikode airport runway, on Saturday said regulator DGCA should not allow landing of flights during monsoons on runway 10 at the aerodrome. (PTI)
Thirty-four-year-old Renjith Panangadstill shiverswhen he recollects thehorrifying experience onboard AIE IX 1344 that crashed at Kozhikode international airport in Kerala on Friday evening. Read more
The parents of Captain Deepak Sathe are proud that their son saved most of the passengers' lives before laying down his own life. Read more
The Kerala government on Saturday announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the families of those who died when an ill-fated Air India Express flight veered off the runway while attempting to land at the Karipur international airport. (PTI)
The aircraft could not land at the runway where it had to, then landing was tried on another runway where the mishap happened. We are monitoring situation andairport will become operational soon, says Arvind Singh, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman.
Negotiating a tabletop runway, laid over the levelled surface of a hill, is tricky even in the best of weather. But the heavy downpour that enveloped the entire Kozhikode International Airport on Friday evening made landing extremely tough. Typical of tabletop accidents, the flight overshot the runway and dropped.
Since the aircraft did not catch fire on impact after falling 35 m into the valley down below, the toll did not cross 19. But in the aviation world, tabletop runway spelled disaster after the 2010 Mangaluru airport accident that killed 158 passengers.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation had some issues with the runway in 2015, but after resolving those issues, clearance was given to it in 2019. The jumbo jets of Air India also used to land there, saysArvind Singh, Airport Authority of India Chairman.
Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (Retd) shared with Deccan Herald his memories of Wing Commander Deepak Vasant Sathe, the deceased pilot-in-command of the Air India Express that crashed at Kozhikode Airport. He explained how "every single time, pilots calculate everything before landing".
The aircraft was being captained and operated by one of our most experienced and distinguished commanders, Captain Deepak Sathe. In fact, he had landed on this airfield as many as 27 times, including this year, says Puri.
We were fortunate that unlike the tragic accident at Mangaluru Airport 10 years ago, where the aircraft caught fire, here preventive action minimised the loss of lives, says Puri.
Puri says that the aircraft was properly insured and further compensations will be decided later. "Now, the priority is on rescue and medical operations. A full enquiry will be conducted to avoid such accidents in future," he adds. He further says that all shortcomings regarding the airport that was pointed out by DGCA in 2019 were already rectified.
CPI(M) politburo expresses its grief at the Air India Express accident in Kozhikode airport which has resulted in the death of 19 passengers and crew members and injuries to 123 others. The party conveys its heartfelt condolences to all the families who have lost their dear ones. "There has to be a full and speedy investigation into the circumstances and cause of the mishap so as to ensure that such mishaps do not occur again," it says in a statement.
The black box and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the site of an Indian passenger aircraft crash in a southern state, a top official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation told Reuters on Saturday.
A day after the Air India Express flight mishap at Kozhikode international airport in Kerala, the questions doing the rounds are what made the pilot opt runway-10 though runway-28 was initially considered and whether the tabletop runway lacked adequate safety parameters.
Aviation experts suggested that the prima facie reason for the aircraft overshooting the runway could be tailwind or crosswind.
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visits the Kozhikode Airport to take stock of the situation. "Reached Kozhikode to take stock of the status andimplementation of relief measures after the air accident last evening. Will hold consultations with senior civil aviation officials andprofessionals," says Puri.
There were 180 passengers and 6 crew members on board the flight. Among them, 149 injured passengers have been admitted to hospitals in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, 22 in critical condition, while 22 others have been discharged after first aid, says K Gopalakrishnan, Malappuram Collector.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Civil Aviation Ministry senior officials, Airports Authority of India, and Air Navigation Service members to meet in Delhi today over crash landing of an Air India Express flight in Kozhikode yesterday, reports ANI.
Airport sources told DH that the second landing attempt was made from the reverse West to East direction (10 landing). But due to the poor visibility, the Boeing 737 aircraft touched down only towards the half-way mark of the 9,000ft runway.
Under the Vande Bharat Mission, the flight was coming from Dubai carrying 190 passengers. Pilot must have tried to bring the flight to the end of tabletop airport's runway where it skidded due to slippery conditions owing to the monsoon, saysCivil Aviation MinisterHardeep Puri. "Our task would have been much more difficult if the plane had caught fire. I am going to the airport (Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur)," he adds.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to visit Karipur today, where an Air India Express flight crash-landed yesterday.
A team of Angels of Air India who will coordinate and liaise with various agencies to provide support and assist families of those affected in this incident have been dispatched to Kozhikode from Mumbai. Air India Chairman-cum-Managing Director Rajiv Bansal and senior airline officials are also scheduled to reach Kozhikode later on Saturday.
Two special relief flights have been arranged from Delhi and one from Mumbai for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and the family members. AAIB, DGCA & Flight Safety Departmentshave reached to investigate the incident, says Air India.
Malappuram District Collector K Gopalakrishnan says that 18 people have died so far in the Kozhikode flight crash. Among the remaining 172 passengers, 14 are in serious condition.
On behalf of the US Mission, we are deeply saddened by the news of the Air India accident in Kozhikode. The victims and their loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers, saysKen Juster, US Ambassador to India.
According to reports, Sathe was formerly an experimental Indian Air Force official before he joined Air India. He is believed to have won the Sword of Honour, 58th course.
Three aircraft were operated to Kozhikode. An Air India Express flight took off around 0200 hours from Delhi to Kozhikode carrying inVestigating officers from DGCA and AAIB, CEO of Air India express and other officials of AI and AIE. The second aircraft tookoff from Mumbai to Kozhikode around 0600hrs in the morning carrying Angels of Air India and GO employees who will coordinate and liaise with various agencies and provide support and assist families of those affected in this incident. The third flight took off from Delhi around 0600 hours carrying the CMD and other senior officials of AI.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said it was deeply saddened by the Air India Express aircraft accident in Kozhikode and its 24X7 helplines were open for those affected by the incident.
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will conduct a formal inquiry into the Air India Express accident at Kozhikode.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said he was deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane accident at Kerala’s Kozhikode airport and his thoughts and prayers were with the affected passengers, crew members and their families.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his party colleague and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar among others expressed grief on Friday's plane crash in Kerala's Kozhikode.
Consulate will be open on 8th August (Saturday) at 8 am to assist all those who want any assistance to travel to Kerala or any information related to the incident: Consulate General of India, Dubai on the flight crash landing incident at Kozhikode
There were 184 passengers and 6 crew onboard Air India flight (IX-1344), but we are currently confirming the details of the passengers. Unfortunately, the pilots have passed away & we are in touch with their families in their grief: Air India Express statement
At least 17 passengers were killed and 173 injured after an Air India Express flight from Dubai skidded off the runway and broke into two at the Kozhikode international airport at Karipur in Malappuram district on Friday.
Malappuram native Sidheek who was on the ill-fated Air India Express flight told a TV channel that he felt like the aircraft was falling into a valley. "It could be due to bad weather that the flight waited in the sky for some time for landing. My seat was behind the wings. As the flight landed it felt like falling into a valley. I suffered an injury on the forehead and lips, but managed to jump out of the emergency doors."
We received several ambulances from nearby districts. It was a joint effort by NDRF, firefighters, and many others. We were able to evacuate all passengers in 90 minutes, said Malappuram district collector.
There was a fuel leak in the aircraft, leading to us not being able to use electric cutters, two passengers were stuck in the tail section of the aircraft, says district collector.
Kerala has been hit by heavy rains in recent days. Over 10 were killed on Friday after a landslide triggered by heavy rains flattened a row of huts in Munnar.
Previously in 2010 an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 from Dubai to Mangalore overshot the runway and burst into flames. Both Mangalore and Kozhikode airports are considered tabletop airports.
Phone numbers: 1800 118 797; +91 11 23012113; +91 11 23014104; +91 11 23017905;
Fax: +91 11 23018158
Deeply saddened to hear about the accident of Air India Express flight IX1344 upon landing at Kozhikode airport. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this accident: International Air Transport Association (IATA)
As a prelude to privatization, Air India staff were forced to undergo compulsory leave for five years, without salary. Engineering staff badly hit. Proper maintenance neglected. None to take care of safety aspects. "Reforms" in Air India and the crash today seem to be inter-connected. Proposed enquiry should look into that aspect too: CPI Parliamentary Party leader and Alliance Air Employees Union President Binoy Vishwam
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the tragic air mishap at Kozhikode airport. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their dear ones in the crash & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured, says Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu
An urgent meeting called of Civil Aviation Ministry is underway at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan. DGCA Director-General & officials of the ministry, Airport Authority of India & Air India Express are in the meeting.
Relief teams from Air India & AAI are being immediately dispatched from Delhi & Mumbai. All efforts being made to help passengers. A formal enquiry will be conducted by AAIB: Minister Puri
174 passengers plus 10 infants
2 pilots
4 cabin crew
Injured passengers are admitted to MIMS hospital, Calicut Medical College, Baby Memorial Hospital.
For information on the accident at Karipur Airport after the plane skid off the runway, A control room at the airport has been opened for information and enquiries.
Phone number 04832719493
We must remember that it is a tabletop runway at Kozhikode. There seems to have been injuries among all the passengers & some of them are unconscious. An NDRF team has been rushed to the spot & should be reaching any time there to join search &rescue operation: NDRF DG SN Pradhan
Capt Deepak V Sathe was a former Indian Air Force Pilot and also flew the Airbus A310 for Air India before moving to Air India Express on the 737. Sathe won the sword of honour at the AFA and was an accomplished fighter pilot, he was a HAL test pilot too.
Air India Express flight IX 1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai to Kozhikode overshot runway at Kozhikode at 1941 hrs tonight. No fire reported at time of landing. As per initial reports, rescue operations are on and passengers being taken to hospital for medical care, says Air India Express
An Air India Express flight from Dubai crashed at the Kozhikode international airport in Kerala at around 8 pm on Friday.
Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates. Our helplines - 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575: Consulate General of India, Dubai.
Air India Express flight IX 1344 operated by B737 aircraft from Dubai to Calicut overshot runway at Kozhikode at 1941 hrs tonight. No fire reported at the time of landing.
There are 174 passengers, 10 Infants, 2 Pilots, and 5 cabin crew on board the aircraft.
We will soon share the update in this regard.
Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala. I have instructed NDRF to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations: Home Minister Amit Shah
Air india Express AXB1344, B737 Dubai to Calicut, person on board 191, visibility 2000 meter, heavy rain, after landing Runway 10, continue running to end of runway and fall down in the valley and broke down in two pieces.