In a shocking development, Air India Express flight carrying 184 passengers from Dubai had to crash land at the Kozhikode airport. At least 20 people including both the pilots, identified as Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe and First Officer Akhilesh Kumar, have been confirmed dead in the crash. Over 100 passengers are believed to have sustained serious injuries. Captain Sathe was a decorated former officer of the Indian Air Force. He was a former Indian Air Force officer, who flew the MiG-21 fighter aircraft with 17 Squadron (Golden Arrows) in Ambala, reported mews agency IANS.
Photos shared on social media showed the plane broken into two with debris strewn all over the place.
Heartbreaking. Capt Deepak Sathe was a former Air Force Pilot and also flew through Airbus 310 for air India before moving to air India express on the 737. Sathe won sword of honour at the AFA and was accomplished fighter pilot,he was HAL test pilot too. pic.twitter.com/z4kTnGugRN
— Anisha Dutta (@A2D2_) August 7, 2020
A statement by Air India Express said, “There were total 184 passengers, including 10 infants and 6 crew members, including two pilots, onboard Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) that skidded during landing at Karipur Airport today.“
The flight reportedly landed amidst heavy rainfall in the vicinity.
Breaking : Air crash reported from Karipur. Front portion of the Air India Express from Dubai aircraft broke open while landing in bad weather. Around 180 pax on board, as per initial reports. 3 deaths including Pilot reported. #calicut #aircrashkerala @DGCAIndia #Kerala pic.twitter.com/4nUxi0GhMh
— Nithin K L (@nithinklenin) August 7, 2020
#Terrible news. Air India flight skids off runway in Calicut Kerala, splits into two; several injured. Casualties feared. Prayers with injured ones. pic.twitter.com/X49w4nQfee
— ᴜᴍᴀʀ ʀᴀꜱʜɪᴅ (@Listenumar) August 7, 2020
Another tragedy. Air india @airindiain flight met with accident at Karipur airport . Dubai to Calicut flight skid from the runway due to heavy rain. Piolet died. More passengers injured. Almost 165 passengers were onboard#Flightaccident #karipur #airindia pic.twitter.com/BAvZLUTZC2
— Sanub Sasidharan (@sanubsasidharan) August 7, 2020
Visuals from the #AirIndia crash site in Calicut. Let’s pray for the victims. pic.twitter.com/Rmb5oeViTv
— Abhishek Lohia (@JuniorLohia) August 7, 2020
Like Mangalore, Kozhikode airport too is a tabletop, if you overshoot the runway, plane falls into a gorge 35 feet down! Due to heavy rains and wet weather conditions plane skidded on landing, but in way the rains stopped the plane from catching fire!
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) August 7, 2020
One of the reasons for the crash has been described to be the overshooting of the plane on the tabletop runway.
LIVE UPDATES:
23:12 PM: Death toll climbs to 16 as Aviation Minister says formal inquiry to be conducted by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau
22:42 PM: Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane crash of Air India Express flight at Kozhikode, Kerala. Spoke to @KeralaGovernor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and inquired about the situation. Thoughts and prayers with affected passengers, crew members and their families: President Ram Nath Kovind
Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane crash of Air India Express flight at Kozhikode, Kerala. Spoke to @KeralaGovernor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and inquired about the situation. Thoughts and prayers with affected passengers, crew members and their families.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2020
22:22 PM: Disheartened to learn about the plane crash in #Kozhikode. Condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives: NCP President Sharad Pawar
Disheartened to learn about the plane crash in #Kozhikode. Condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives.#AirIndiaExpress
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) August 7, 2020
22:22 PM:14 dead, 123 injured and 15 seriously injured in Kozhikode plane crash incident at Karipur Airport: Malappuram SP to ANI.
14 dead, 123 injured and 15 seriously injured in Kozhikode plane crash incident at Karipur Airport: Malappuram SP to ANI. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/QfFZxHDkVx
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
22:16 PM: 11 people dead including one pilot, several sustained serious injuries: Reports
22:14 PM: 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@vijayanpinarayi Ji regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected: PM Modi
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 @vijayanpinarayi Ji regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2020
News about the accident of #AirIndia flight at #Kozhikode airport is disturbing and disheartening.
Pray for the well-being of all the passengers and crew.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) August 7, 2020
22:02 PM: My deepest condolences to the loved ones of crew members, passengers who lost their lives in the tragic Air India plane mishap in Kozhikode. Praying for the well being and recovery of all survivors: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
My deepest condolences to the loved ones of crew members, passengers who lost their lives in the tragic Air India plane mishap in Kozhikode. Praying for the well being and recovery of all survivors.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 7, 2020
22:01 PM: Shocked at the devastating news of the plane mishap in Kozhikode. Deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who died in this accident. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi
Shocked at the devastating news of the plane mishap in Kozhikode. Deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who died in this accident. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 7, 2020
2130 PM: Second tragedy of the day in Kerala : Air India Express skids off the run way at Kozhikode, front portion splits , pilot dies and lots of passengers injured . All passengers evacuated. Very lucky the aircraft didn’t catch fire: Former Union Minister from Kerala, KJ Alphons
2128 PM: Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates. Our helplines – 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575: Consulate General of India, Dubai.
2125 PM: Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala. Have instructed NDRF to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations: Home Minister Amit Shah
2108 PM: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) orders a detailed inquiry into the matter, reports ANI.
