On 10th Anniversary Emotional Tributes Paid to 158 Victims who Died in Mangalore Air Crash on 22 May 2010
Mangaluru: Emotional tributes were paid to the 158 victims on the Tenth anniversary of Mangalore Air Crash, even as the issue of proper compensation for their kin is yet to be settled. One hundred and fifty eight people had lost their lives, while eight others survived, when Air India Express flight IX 812 overshot Bajpe airport runway and crashed into a deep gorge, on 22 May 2010. The 2010 fatal air crash had shaken up the aviation industry which was forced to undertake a re-look at the safety oversight system of Directorate General of Civil Aviation, covering aerodromes, air navigation, airlines, flight operations, training of pilots and all other related areas.
The plane burst into flames after the crash, which occurred at 6.10 a.m. on 22 May 2010. The captain of the flight, Z. Glusica, a British national of Serbian origin, and his co-pilot H.S. Ahluwalia were among the dead. Nine passengers who did not board the flight on that day were lucky, it is learnt. But every year the District Administration pays tribute to the departed souls in that plane crash at a Memorial Park, near Kulur on Thannirbavi Road, Mangaluru, where few bodies who couldn’t be recognized since they were charred, were buried at this memorial Park. It was the initiative of then DC of Dakshina Kannada A B Ibrahim that saw this Memorial Park set up on the banks of Phalguni River, at a cost of Rs 10 lakhs.
On the Tenth Anniversary of the fatal air crash, floral tributes were paid at the Memorial Park for the crash victims by District Minister-in-charge Kota Srinivas Poojary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Deputy Commissioner Ms Sindhu Roopesh followed by Mangalore International airport Director V V Rao; DCP Laxmi Ganesh; ACP Belliappa; Dr Murali Manohar C- Commander of D K Home Guards; Ajay Indran- Joint GM of ATC at Airport; Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde; Ms Hazel Concessao- Personal Assistant to Airport Director; were among others who paid floral tribute to the victims. It was a simple memorial service, where all the dignitaries came, offered floral tributes, sat for two minutes, and left. No one spoke nor expressed any condolences, and it seemed like a NAME SAKE memorial tribute.
Recalling of the incident, it is learnt that the Captain Glusica from Serbia had 10,200 hours of flying experience, out of which 7,630 were as pilot-in-command. He was familiar with the airport and had made 19 landings there, last touching down at the Mangalore airport in November 2009. Co-pilot Ahluwalia, based in Mangalore, had 3,650 hours of flying experience, and he too was familiar with the airfield. On that black day, the scene at the Government Wenlock Hospital, where most of the bodies of the victims were brought, was one of untold grief. Relatives and friends had to perform the terrible task of identifying their loved ones from among bodies charred beyond recognition.
A total of 166 passengers including 135 adults, 19 children, four babies and six aircraft personnel were travelling by the ill-fated flight. The lucky eight passengers, including one woman, who miraculously survived the crash were: Mohammad Usman, Mohammad Umer Farooqi, Sabrina Haq, KP Mayankutty, G K Pradeep, Krishnan Kollikunnu, Abdulla PutturIsmail and Joel Prathap D’Souza. Sources reveal that some jumped out of windows as the plane came apart, others scrambled out of the wreckage. Burnt, they raced away from the inferno through the thickly-wooded ravine, while locals also helped. They gave them phones, took them to hospital. Ten years later on 22 May 2020 it still brings back memories of this deadliest air crash in the history of Mangaluru Airport.
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Sources also reveal that there had also been a few instances of thieves making hay and stealing gold, valuables etc by taking advantage of the volatile situation. A few of them were later nabbed. Later, investigation had established that the catastrophe occurred because of the neglect shown by the captain of the flight to suggestions made by the co-pilot. The case filed by a number of passengers families demanding increased compensation is still before the Supreme Court. Those who survived were disbursed with the compensation amount within a couple of years. Several passengers accepted the compensation offered by the authorities.
Later, the ‘Mangalore Air Crash Victims Family Association’, was formed by the family members of the deceased passengers under the leadership of Abdul Rahman Jeppu and Narayana Kalingo. This Association has so far helped the families in receiving their compensation payments etc. The Petition filed SLP(C) 9895-9898/2013 Abdul Salam V/s National Aviation Company of India with a prayer to consider ordering release of payment of minimum eligible compensation of around Rs. 90 lakh (1.52 lakh SDR)- as per Montreal Convention & Carriages by Air Act, is in progress at the Supreme Court. Yesterday the Supreme Court awarded Rs 7.64 crore to one of the victims in this plane crash (Ref: SC awards Rs 7.64 cr compensation to kin of man killed 2010 Mangalore AI crash )
It is also learnt that the kith and kin of the dead pilot of the plane Zlatko Glusica is also waiting for the full compensation. Glusica’s son Alexander Glusica, who is also a pilot and living in Belgrade, Serbia speaking to media has said, “It’s been 10 years now, and nothing much has moved since the accident. We are still fighting the legal case. Being myself a pilot since 2015, the word ‘Pilot Error’comes haunting. It’s the easiest way to blame blame someone who cannot defend himself”. Also Alexander’s sister, Merima Glusica has also said, “Even after 10 years, the painful wounds are still open. Our wish is to visit the palce of accident someday. Our father dedicated his life to the family and his children”.
The dead pilot family’s lawyer Yeshwanth Shenoy representing their case in the Mumbai High Court speaking to media has said, “I have managed to get around Rs 2.5 crore released as interim relief when the matter was admitted. Recently bthe Court had listed the matter for final hearing, but it was put on hold due to Coronavirus outbreak. We will be still following up on the case, so that the right compensation is paid for the victim’s family members”.
Team Mangalorean extends heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved family members of the 2010 AI Express Flight Air Crash.