‘We’ve Learnt Lesson from the Incident’- DC during ‘Shraddhanjali’ for the AI Crash Victims
Mangaluru: Emotional tributes were paid to the 158 victims on the Ninth 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.
On the ninth Anniversary of the fatal air crash, floral tributes were paid at the Memorial Park for the crash victims by Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, followed by Koshy Abraham-Officiate Mangalore International airport Director; DCP Law & Order Hanumantharayya; Dr R Selvamani, CEO-Zilla Panchayat, Dr Murali Manohar C- Commander of D K Home Guards; Raju Gupta- Joint GM at Airport; Vishwanath- Joint GM-Finance at airport; LK Singh- Senior Manager Finance at Airport; Dr Vikram Rao- Medical Officer at Ministry Health and of Family Welfare- Airport Organization; MCC Commissioner In-Charge B H Narayanappa; were among others who paid floral tribute to the victims.
Addressing the gathering, DC Sasikanth Senthil said, “ This incident has taught us a lesson, to be alert and ready when such air crashes take place. The 2010 air crash in Mangaluru was one of the catastrophic air crashes in the history of Mangaluru and State. My sincere condolences on this ninth anniversary of this fatal air crash for the bereaved family members of the dead. Even though proper compensation has not been paid to the kith and kin of the victims, I wish the concerned authorities speed up the procedure and settle the full compensation money owed to the families of the deceased in that crash. I have learnt that whole Mangalore was ready to help the victims on that crash day, and we should also commend the fire personnel, doctors, and other health care volunteers who worked hard during the tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members”.
Y Mohammed Beary, the President of the “Mangalore Air Crash Victims Family Association”said, ” Even though the Aviation department has made suitable payment settlements, but they have not paid enough compensation to the women and children. After the crash, the family members of the deceased passengers under the leadership of Abdul Rahman Jeppu and Narayana Kalingo had formed “Mangalore Air Crash Victims Family Association”. 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”.
He further said, “The intention of setting up the Association was not to demand compensation particularly, but to protect the rights of the families. We need your in our fight for the legitimate entitlements and justice. The fight will gain more strength if there is a collective effort. The Case is still in Supreme Court, with the next hearing date scheduled in the month of June 2019. With that air crash the hopes of many a people of ensuring a quality life to their dependents back in India had been dashed. We cannot get our beloved people back. A decision on this case may open an avenue for other crash victims or their kin also to get compensation as per the Montreal Convention. My sincere thanks to the former DC A B Ibrahim for his initiative in constructing this memorial Park here, where tributes are paid every year for the victims of the air crash “.
Recalling of the incident, it is learnt that the Captain Glusica 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.
Only eight persons survived in that crash. 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.
Team Mangalorean extends heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved family members of the 2010 AI Express Flight Air Crash.