Probing crash cause not difficult: Former air chief

A former Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, says investigating the causes that led to the crash of an Air India aircraft at Mangalore today should not be difficult because the accident took place on a runway unlike other air tragedies that happen midair or at far off places.

A former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, says investigating the causes that led to the crash of an Air India aircraft at Mangalore on Saturday should not be difficult because the accident took place on a runway unlike other air tragedies that happen midair or at far off places.

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"As far as the tragedy is concerned, it is bad. I am quite sure that since the crash has taken place on a runway, the facts will come out faster than compared to other crashes that take place away from airfields and at unknown places," Major, who is a board member of Air India, told a TV news channel.

He said it was too early to speculate about the possible causes. "In time, the investigating agencies would come with the facts because the plane crashed on the airfield. We need to wait for that."

"It is little too early to comment on the cause or the circumstances that led to the accident," he added.

At least 158 people were killed Saturday when an Air India Express Boeing 737 with 166 passengers and crew flying from Dubai overshot the runway landing at the table top Mangalore airport.