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Air India Express crash latest updates: Flight data recorder recovered from the wreckage, probe underway

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air india crash, vande bharat, covid-19, dubai, kozhikode

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Dubai - Aviation Minister calls for a formal enquiry into the crash.

Published: Sat 8 Aug 2020, 7:10 PM

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  • Team KT

At least 18 people were killed and more than 100 injured when an Air India Express passenger plane repatriating Indians stranded by the Covid-19 pandemic overshot the runway in heavy rain near Kozhikode on Friday, officials said.
The Boeing-737 flight from Dubai to Calicut International Airport was carrying 190 passengers and crew, the civil aviation ministry said in a statement. Among them were 10 infants.
Television footage showed rescue workers moving around the wreckage in pouring rain. The aircraft lay split into at least two chunks after the plane's fuselage sheared apart as it fell into a valley 35 feet below, authorities said.
Indian missions in the UAE and several community groups have launched helpline numbers for families and passengers of the Air India Express aircraft IX 1344. The Consulate General of India in Dubai has opened its help line numbers for the well-being of passengers and crew of the Air India Express flight IX 1344 from Dubai to Kozhikode. Click here for the 24/7 helpline numbers

Kerala plane crash latest news updates:

Saturday, August 8:

149 people were also admitted to hospitals: Hardeep Singh Puri


We are monitoring situation: Arvind Singh
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, said Arvind Singh, Airport Authority of India Chairman.
Air India Express announces compensation

Interim relief announced
Hardeep Puri announces interim relief of Rs 10 lakh for kin of deceased, Rs 2 lakh for people who are seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for persons with minor injuries.
Hardeep Singh Puri reaches Kozhikode
Reached Kozhikode to take stock of the status and implementation of relief measures after the air accident last evening. Will hold consultations with senior civil aviation officials and professionals, said Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister.
Latest visuals from Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur
V Muraleedharan visits crash site
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan visits the crash site.
Flight Data Recorder recovered from the wreckage
Digital Flight Data Recorder has been recovered from the aircraft. Floorboard is being cut to retrieve Cockpit Voice Recorder, said Directorate General of Civil Aviation official


127 are under treatment, few of them in critical condition: Indian Consulate in Dubai
The Consulate General of India, Dubai informed that the consulate will be open on Saturday to all those who want travel assistance to Kerala or any information related to the plane crash tragedy at Karipur airport in Kozhikode.  The Consulate, in a tweet, said  that 127 people are receiving treatment, few of them in critical condition. More details.
Governor, CM to visit crash site

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will visit Karipur on Saturday, where an Air India Express flight crash-landed on Friday.
"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone and informed him about the arrangements made for rescue and medical support. The Prime Minister has promised the assistance of the Union Government," Chief Minister's Office (CMO) Kerala said in a tweet on Friday.
Kerala Raj Bhavan informed that Governor Khan has already talked to Chief Minister and Kerala Police chief about rescue and relief operations at Karipur airport.
Three AI aircraft reach Kozhikode to provide assistance

Two special relief flights from Delhi and one from Mumbai for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and the family members of the Air India Express crash-landing incident reached Kozhikode on Saturday.
An Air India Express flight took off around 2 am from Delhi to Kozhikode carrying investigating officers from DGCA and AAIB, CEO of Air India express and other officials of AI and AIE. The second aircraft took off from Mumbai to Kozhikode around 6 am carrying Angels of Air India and GO employees, who will coordinate and liaise with various agencies and provide support and assist families of those affected in this incident. The third flight also took off from Delhi around 6 am carrying the CMD and other senior officials of AI.  More details
Before crash-landing, AI Express pilot aborted two landings
Air India (AI) Express pilots, who have died in Kerala plane crash tragedy, attempted two landings before the final landing at the tabletop runway at Kozhikode on Friday evening. Two landings were aborted by pilots due to tailwind.

"According to weather radar, 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," a senior investigator from DGCA told ANI.  More details
Those who assisted in rescue work to go into quarantine

The Kerala health department on Saturday announced that all those who took part in the rescue operations will require to go into quarantine, according to a Indian Express report. Kondotty is already a containment zone with a high positivity rate. The survivors are being tested for the virus. All those who took part in the rescue operations will also be tested, the department said.

Our task would have been much more difficult if the plane had caught fire," says Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister
Latest visuals from Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur

 
MoS Muraleedharan reaches Kozhikode to 'visit crash site, meet injured'
Minister of State (Mos) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Saturday reached Kozhikode where Air India Express flight (IX-1344) crash-landed yesterday. He is likely to meet those injured in the crash and their family members.
Informing about his visit to Kozhikode, Muraleedharan tweeted: "Taking off to #Calicut by @airindiainspecial flight. Hope to visit the crash site at the Calicut Airport and also meet those injured in the crash and their family members."
Muraleedharan on Friday expressed grief after an Air India Express plane carrying 190 passengers including 10 infants skidded while landing at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode.

"Deeply anguished to hear about the mishap in Calicut airport involving the flight from Dubai to Calicut. Was informed that the plane overshot the runway and seemingly nosedived," the Minister tweeted.

Friday, August 7: As it happened

Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed that 17 had died in the crash, adding that the rescue operation was complete:
Also see: Tragic plane crash in India on Friday

P G Prageesh, Chief of Corporate Communications at Air India Express, told Khaleej Times: "As per the primary information, there were 184 passengers on board the flight. The aircraft skidded off the runaway and fell into a valley situated near the airport. Rescue operations are underway."
 
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Air India Express AXB1344, a B737 aircraft, landed on Runway 10 amid visibility of 2,000 metres in heavy rain, but continued running till the end of runway, fell down in the valley and broke in two pieces, IANS reported.
Indian Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has called for a formal enquiry into the crash:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reacted to the crash and tweeted: Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Kerala CM regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected
 
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted Friday evening, "Have instructed Police and Fire Force to take urgent action in the wake of the plane crash at the Kozhikode International airport (CCJ) in Karipur. Have also directed the officials to make necessary arrangements for rescue and medical support."
 
 
Neeraj Agarwal, Consul - Press, Information and Culture at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, confirmed to Khaleej Times that the flight was part of the Vande Bharat Mission. "The flight was carrying 174 adults and 10 infants. Majority of the passengers were families, and it included 128 male and 46 female passengers."
The incident happened even as the south Indian state is grappling with heavy rains.



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