Ex-air marshal who probed Mangalore plane tragedy lists reasons for Kozhikode plane crash

Retired Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale, who investigated  2010 Mangalore plane crash in which around 158 passengers were killed, has listed possible causes behind Kozhikode plane trdy. He also stated that inquiry panel will study detailed issues related to mishap.

"In 2010 Mangalore incident, 158 people died because plane h caught fire. When plane went down deep, people died due to asphyxiation and only 8 survived. In Kozhikode incident, plane went down for around 30-40 foot," said Bhushan.

He explained that landing can be very risky if rainwater is accumulated on runway. He suggested that re should be proper drain on runaway and a maximum of around 3 mm water film should be allowed.

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“During braking, wheel of aircraft gets locked while landing and later released. At that time, if re is a film, n plane will skid off. In this case, plane can go in right or left direction or it cant stop," Bhushan said.

"Rubber in plane tires melts while landing and that's why smoke comes out. In this case, if water is on runway, re will be a problem while landing," he said.

As per Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), visibility in Kozhikode at time of trdy was 2,000 metres due to heavy rain. After landing, plane kept running to end of runway and fell into valley, breaking into three pieces.

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'Why do pilots land compulsorily in Kozhikode?'

retired Air Marshal said that inquiry panel will also investigate why pilots have to land compulsorily in Kozhikode if visibility was a problem re.

"As media reports say 2000 metres was visibility. If that is true it was good visibility because in our field, we consider 500 metres also good visibility. inquiry should find out what was visibility at that time," he said.

"Ar is wind factor. wind is erratic in tabletop runways. pilot ensures safe landing while considering all this. Maybe situation was t well, that's why y took a round of airport and n landed. re is a standard operating procedure set up by DGCA for clearing water from runway. inquiry panel will check this aspect during investigation," he ded.

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Bhushan said Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) that have been recovered from Air India Express aircraft will reveal if re was an engine problem, fuel availability, control issue, and braking issue that caused mishap. 

As DGCA has ordered an inquiry into trdy, Bhushan suggested that inquiry panel formed should be a composite team consisting of experienced pilots, engineers, ATC officials wear experts and doctors.

On Friday, Air India Express aircraft carrying 190 people including 184 passengers and six crew members crash-landed at Kozhikode airport. 18 people, including pilot and co-pilot, lost ir lives in incident. Both Pilot and Co-Pilot are among de.

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(With inputs from ANI)

(Im credits: PTI)