investigate Kerala plane crash

KERALA: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that the Air India Express Biman IX-1344 crash in Kozhikode, Kerala will be investigated.  The flight from Dubai to Calicut slipped and fell into a 35-foot ditch while landing on the runway in inclement weather.  The crashed Air Express plane split in two.  At least 19 people, including the pilot and co-pilot, were killed in the crash.

 The crashed plane had a total of 190 passengers, including 35 crew members.  Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "Every effort has been made to rescue the passengers."  The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will investigate the crash.  Experts from Delhi and Mumbai have already reached the spot for investigation.

Ahead of Mantri Puri's remarks, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that Air India Express flight IX-1344, which is part of the 'Bande Bharat' operation to repatriate Indians stranded abroad in Korona Atimari, arrived in Kozhikode around 6.41 pm on Friday.  No fire was noticed on the plane during landing.  There were 164 adult passengers, 10 children, 2 pilots and 4 crew members on board.  The plane skidded after landing on the runway.

 A joint team of Kerala Police and National Disaster Response Force worked to rescue passengers from the wreckage late into the night.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the plane crash.  He assured all possible help.  Modi also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay.

 Like Mangalore Airport, Kozhikode is surrounded by mountains.  Runway tabletop here.  As a result, pilots lack visibility and confusion during landing.  In this case too, it was initially assumed that it happened in the rain.

One of the 19 people killed in the Kozhikode plane crash was Air India Express pilot Deepak Basanta.  Retired Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale told PTI, "Deepak Basant is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy in Pune.  He was in the 56th batch of the National Defense Academy.  Deepak, a member of the Juliet Squadron, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1981.  Deepak Basant was the pilot of the Indian Air Force fighter jet. ”Gokhale said he was a good squash player as well as a good pilot.

 Landing at the tabletop port is not new to Deepak Basant Saath, a resident of Powai, Mumbai.  He has flown to Kozhikode more than once.

Friday's record says the pilot tried to land the plane more than once in the rain.  Twice before landing, the Air India Express aircraft IX-1344 circled the airport.  But soon after landing, the wheel of the plane slipped on the runway.  The plane plunged into a 35-foot-deep ditch and split in two.

 Air India Express Biman IX-1344 was returning to Calicut from Dubai with 190 passengers on the Bande Bharat Mission.  There were 10 children and 8 crew members on board.  Air India officials said all four injured crew members were safe.

BJP national general secretary BL Santosh said on Saturday, "Captain Deepak has saved many lives with his life.  With the engine of the aircraft turned off and immediately introduced.