Kozhikode Air India crash LIVE Updates: CM announces 10 lakh ex-gratia; death toll at 18

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has assured that the findings of the investigation into the tragic accident involving Air India Express flight from Dubai to Kozhikode will be made public. Earlier, while taking to Twitter, Puri informed that the black boxes of the Boeing 737 aircraft have been recovered. 

Delhi: Mortal remains of co-pilot Akhilesh Kumar who lost his life in the flight crash landing incident at Kozhikode arrives at Delhi Airport. Air India Express employees pay tributes to him. His mortal remains are being taken to his native place in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the tragic plane crash at Kozhikode: India in Russia

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh met late Captain DV Sathe's family members at their residence in Nagpur today. Captain DV Sathe was flying the #AirIndiaExpress flight which crash-landed at #Kozhikode airport yesterday.

ATC sources state that the Approach Radar system was not used to assist landing. The Approach Radar is a computerized assist to land by analyzing speed and path of travel and even suggests where to land. This is part of the night landing system- Category Landing 2 (CAT). Manual navigational assistance was given to the flight.

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 & airport will become operational soon: Arvind Singh, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman

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

VandeBharatMission flights have no problem, the mission will continue: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)

Air India Express regret to confirm that its flight IX-1344 from DXB to CCJ was involved in an accident on the 7th August 2020 at Calicut. As an immediate relief, the airline will provide interim compensation to the to the next kin of the deceased and to the injured.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran Kunhalikutty visiting the accident site in Karipur.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visit accident site.

Kozhikode Air India Crash: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials recover Black Box of Air India Express flight.

Kozhikode Air India Crash: Two deceased found COVID-19 positive; rescue teams to undergo tests: Malappuram DC. Kerala health Miniter has asked everyone who was involved in the rescue operations to self-quarantine themselves.

Speaking to media on Saturday morning, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed that casualties in the Kozhikode plane crash have increased to 18. He added that 127 people are in hospitals and rest have been discharged. Extending his condolences to the deceased, he said that even one death is unfortunate. He also hailed the braveheart Pilots, saying that their timely action has reduced the impact of the accident. The Civil Aviation Minister said that he is going to the Kozhikode airport now. 

"It was a Vande Bharat flight. It landed at 07:41 pm. Weather conditions were unfavourable. Our task would have been much more difficult if the plane had caught fire. I am going to the airport," Hardeep Singh Puri said. 

Kozhikode Air India plane crash: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan & DGP to visit the accident site. 

 Kozhikode airport closed temporarily and all incoming flights diverted to either Kannur and Cochin international airports

As the 2 pilots of the Air India Express flight lost their lives in the crash landing at Kozhikode International Airport, Air India Express Employees Union has extended their condolences to the Bravehearts. Capt. DV Sathe and First Officer Capt. Akhilesh Kumar lost their lives in the accident on Friday when Air India Express flight arriving in Kozhikode skid off the runway at 7.40PM.

The Air India Express Employees Union said that their loss has deeply saddened crew fraternity. They also extended deepest sympathies to passengers who lost their lives and are injured in the incident. They also said that the cabin crew received some injuries and are under treatment in Kozhikode hospital. 

Here is the full statement:

Dear all,

Hearfelt condolences and prayers to our dear departed soul Capt. DV Sathe and First Officer Capt. Akhilesh Kumar of our flight IX-1344. Their loss has deeply saddened crew fraternity. They shall really be missed.

May GOD Almighty, give them peace and ease the pain of their family and friends.

We extend our deepest sympathies to pax who lost lives on Air India Express flight  IX-1344 returning from Dubai .

This is to inform you that the cabin crew received some injuries and are under treatment in Kozhikode hospital. 

With sincere sympathy,

Air India Express Employees Union
AIXEU

Two special relief flights have been arranged from Delhi and Mumbai for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and the family members.  AAIB, DGCA & Flight Safety Depts have reached to investigate the incident

V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs reaches Karipur airport. Proceeds to Kozhikode

Last year in July, the Calicut International Airport in Karipur was served notice by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) over safety concerns. This came after an audit from July 2 to 5. The airport was served a show-cause notice over unsafe airport maintenance. The Airports Authority of India was given 15 days to respond to the notice. As per reports, the notice pointed out  the excessive deposit of rubber and stagnating water on the runway. 

Air India Express, in an accidental bulletin, informed that the Kozhikode crash has claimed at least 17 lives, including the two pilots, while the four crew members are safe. 

A senior investigator from DGCA informed that the Air India Express pilots, who died in the Kozhikode crash, tried to land the plane twice before the unfortunate crash landing at the tabletop runway. While speaking to ANI, the official said that the pilots aborted two landing due to tailwind. 

The senior DGCA investigator said, “According to weather radar, the approach was for runway 28 but as pilots found difficulties they went around twice and came from the opposite side on runway 10 and the plane crash-landed at Kerala’s Kozhikode airport”.

Kerala govt has confirmed that a one-year-old boy injured in the Air India crash has succumbed to his wounds at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. He is reported to be the youngest casualty in the plane crash.
 

In an accident bulletin, Air India confirmed that there were 184 passengers and 6 crew members on board its IX-1134 flight from Dubai.

The airline informed that evacuation operation started immediately and the survivors have been sent to various hospitals. It said that the Emergency Command Centre was immediately activated following the crash and they will be rendering necessary help to assist the emergency services and local authorities. 

While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation informed that the Air India Express flight from Dubai to Kozhikode fell down into the valley and split into two pieces, an aerial view of the crash-landing showed that the plane broke into three parts. According to Channel 24, the cockpit of the Boeing 737 was 20 meters away from the fuselage as the aircraft skidded off Runway 10. 

Minister of States for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan told Republic TV that the Air India plane crash at the Kozhikode airport happened because of the heavy downpour in the area and authorities will probe the incident thoroughly. 

He will be taking off for Kerala at 2.30 am on a special flight to access the damage.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has informed that two investigation teams of professionals from Air India and Airport Authority of India will be leaving for Kozhikode in the early hours of Saturday. He added that rescue operations are now complete.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, updating on the evacuation, took to twitter to inform that the process has been completed and the injured have been transferred to hospitals in Malappuram and Kozhikode.

All passengers suffer injuries except 1. MoS MEA spoke to PM Modi, to visit Calicut tomorrow

Delhi: 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.

Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said to Republic, "Our whole focus is rescuing the passengers and rush them to hospitals. The Calicut DM was given the responsibility to take them. I spoke to CM and DGP, minutes after the incident.  ministers were given instructions to reach the spot. Medical help is being provided. I heard that last 2 passengers have also been rescued".

 Ambassador of India to UAE Pawan Kapoor says that helpline numbers will soon be updated in the Embassy website. Air India express stated that help centres are being set up at Sharjah & Dubai

Visuals show that the cockpit appears to have sheared off and has dropped into a gully. Currently, Rescue operations are trying to ensure fuel from aircraft doesn't leak.

Health Minister K K Shailaja has confirmed that 11 people have succumbed to the injuries at various hopsitals in Kozhikode.

Sources state that the pilot had reportedly tried to land the plane once and failed, amid heavy rain and poor visibility. Following which the pliot had reportedly taken off and tried to land again, but failed to do so. After that the plane has fallen into a 35 feet-deep gorge, resulting into major fuselage damage with the plane - resulting it splitting into two.

NDRF DG SN Pradhan speaking to Republic said, "There was waterlogging on the runway. The aircraft dropped some height. NDRF team will be reaching in 30 mins. I have been told that front part damaged badly and passengers are there onboard."

Kerala chief minister pinarayi vijayan expressed shock over the tragic mishap of the Air India Express at Kozhikode airport this evening. The CM asked all govt agencies to engage in rescue operations using all government facilities. 

The CM has deputed A C Moideen, minister for local bodies, to coordinate the rescue operations. AC Moideen has already left for Karipur from Thrisur.  CM also has deputed an IG of Police to oversee the rescue operation. Fire and Rescue teams of two district's also have been engaged. Health authorities have been instructed to provide all possible medical aid to save lives of victims.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the phone about the Karipur plane crash. The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that a team of officials including Kozhikode and Malappuram District Collectors and IG Ashok Yadav had arrived at the airport and were participating in the rescue operation.

Unconfirmed reports have emerged that some people, including the pilot, have died. Several people were injured. The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that the state government has taken steps to provide treatment to the injured and all other facilities. The Prime Minister promised all the assistance of the Central Government. The CM said that all the mechanisms of the state government will be used to deal with the emergency.

In a massive development, AirIndia Express aircraft from Dubai to Calicut with 191 passengers has skid off the runway, crash landing at Karipur Airport, Kozhikode. The runway which is of tabletop pattern was reportedly waterlogged. Fire tenders and ambulances rushed to the spot. The incident took place amid very heavy rainfall in the area around 7:40 PM. Sources report that the airplane belonged to the Vande Bharat mission.

Air India Express Flight No IX 1344  from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We pray for well being of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates.

Our helplines 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575

Speaking to Republic, DGCA DG Arun Kumar Arun Kumar said, "Flight from Dubai. landed in Calicut and landing was not smooth with the airport falling into a valley. While the plane did not catch fire, it broke into 2 parts. There are 189 passengers on the plane, but rescue operations continue."

Sources report that there were 184 passengers including 174 adults and 10 infants. There were 6 crew members and 2 pilots - Capt. Deepak Vasant, Co pilot-Akhilesh, Shilpa katara, Akshay Pal Singh, Lalit Kumar, Biswas.
 

Sources have reported that 17 people have moved to mercy hospital in Kondotty, 20 people to relief hospital in Kondotty, 10 to MIMS Kozhikode.

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.

The Air India flight (IX-1344) from Dubai carrying 174 passengers skidded during landing at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode (Kerala) today. There were 6 crew members onboard, including two pilots: Air India Express

Reacting to the news, Former MOS Tourism - Alphons KJ tweeted that the front portion of the flight has split and that the pilot had lost his life. While lots of passengers had been injured, he claimed that all passengers were evacuated.