Editorial
Plane disaster in India
We are deeply saddened by the huge loss of lives
PROFOUNDLY shocked as we are by the Air India Express Boeing tragedy in Mangalore, the worst aviation accident in India since 1996, we express our heartfelt condolences for the families of the deceased. So, stupendous was the impact of the accident that as many as 160 human lives were lost. Seven persons including a Bangladeshi medical girls student survived miraculously on being ejected as the pilot applied the emergency brake.
The southern Indian city has, what is called, 'tabletop runway' allowing little margin of error in regulation landing as the edges of the runway drop sharply off to gorges. And as it so happened, as the first reports suggested, the plane landed at a distance from where it was supposed to, thus skidding out of the runway crashing down on the forested land.
Air safety has been a matter of debate in India being credited with fast-paced economic development increasing demand for air travel. With a sprinkling of 'close brushes', as reported, concern over the state of infrastructure and aviation safety vulnerability has been interminably expressed over the Indian media. So it is of utmost importance that the accident is probed thoroughly both by the Boeing and Indian authorities to establish precise causes for the disaster. In this context, the prompt recovery of the black box sounds as good augury.
Finally, we share the grief of the Indian government and people over the tragic incident. Our heart goes out in sympathy for the bereaved families. No amount of compensation can ever lessen the magnitude of their sorrow and grievous sense of loss. But if with each such accident, the aviation authorities learn the right lessons throughout the world, it will be that much helpful in strengthening the safeguards for a higher level of air safety.
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