Air Crash: 3-day public hearing ends

Air Crash: 3-day public hearing ends

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, August 20: If the Air Traffic Control officer notices that the aircraft approaching the runway is flying too high or too low, should he inform the pilot or not?

 While pilots present at the Court of Inquiry on Thursday replied in affirmative, the ATC officers including Airport Director (also former ATC officer) M R Vasudeva categorically opposed it.

When a pilot said that the observation by ATC officer may help the pilot, Vasudeva sought to know as to who will take the responsibility in case of a mishap after the ATC communication. “The pilot is the best person to decide what has to be done as he has the controls,” Vasudeva opined and added that there are all possibilities of pilots blaming the ATC in case of any mishap after the ATC communication (who is unaware of cockpit situation).

On the contrary, another pilot noted that recently a major mishap was averted in Mumbai because of the timely advice of the ATC officer.

As a debate started over the issue, the Chair decided to discuss the issue later.

Mangalore safe

Deposing before the Court of Inquiry, Airport Director M R Vasudeva stole the show as he answered several queries raised by many persons during the last three days of public hearing. Right from safety assessment of the runway, to maintenance of RESA (Runway End Safety Area) and disaster management plan, he answered almost all the queries with proof.

However, he expressed concern over the unabated mining operations in the surrounding region for which the Chair assured to look into the issue.

In his deposition, Deputy Director General of DGCA J S Rawat batted for Mangalore airport. He said that the Mangalore airport has satisfied 50-odd requirements. “The airport has sought four exemptions which are under consideration,” he said. To a query on whether the DGCA received any complaints regarding CNS equipment, length of runway or on friction, he replied in the negetive.

No sabotage

Deputy Commissioner of Security Sharath Srinivas of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in his deposition ruled out any sabotage bid. “Any possibility of sabotage with use of explosives is ruled out,” the expert said.

The Chair directed Assistant Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti to get a ‘no claim’ certificate from the crash site owner Pratap Rai. “If he is claiming any damages, let the Court know,” he said.

The Chair also directed Police Inspector Valentine D’Souza to get the chemical analysis and toxicology report of the pilot and co-pilot at the earliest. “Unless we get those reports, we can not submit the Inquiry report,” Gokhale said. Though the blood samples were sent to Forensic Science Laboratory in Bangalore more than a month ago, the reports have not yet arrived, D’Souza told the court.

All praise for M’loreans

“Hats off to Mangaloreans and the district administration who actively took part in rescue operations in the moment of crisis,” said Air Marshal (Retd) B N Gokhale, speaking to media persons soon after the end of public hearing in Mangalore.

He also said that the Chair acknowledged the involvement of the firemen in Crash Fire Tenders and persons like Monu (who quickly informed police, city fire service and hospitals, though it was not his duty). He also appreciated the efforts of Air India Angels.

Before concluding the hearing, he said that he was happy because he never got a chance to use the ‘hammer’ placed before him on the Chair to maintain discipline in the court hall
DHNS