Probe alibi for Dubai joyride

Does a government appointed committee probing an air crash need to travel to the airport from which the flight originated?

Does a government appointed committee probing an air crash need to travel to the airport from which the flight originated?

HT Image

Two members of the Court of Inquiry (CoI) probing the Air India Express crash at Mangalore on May 22, Air Marshal (Retd.) BN Gokhale and Group Captain Deepak Gaur did, flying from Mangalore to Dubai and back on August 6-7.

"To assess various facets during this flight, (the two members) have desired to carry out a familiarisation flight … by Air India Express from Mangalore to Dubai and back,” says the mail that sought the civil aviation’s ministry consent for the trip.

"I don’t think there was any need for a trip to Dubai,” said Robey Lal, former country manager International Air Transport Association. “Since the crash occurred due to the aircraft overshooting Mangalore airport, they could familiarise themselves by taking off from Mangalore and landing soon after any number of times.”

“It was a joyride at the cost of the country and the company (Air India),” said R. N. Pathak, aviation expert.
But S. N. Dwivedi, secretary, CoI, defended the visit: “The familiarisation flight was needed to understand the flight duty time limitations, and the complications faced by the crew.”