Centre Orders Inquiry Into Air India Express Plane Crash At Kerala's Kozhikode Airport

Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on behalf of the Centre ordered the investigation into the mishap stating that two teams of professionals from the Air India, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a thorough and detailed investigation.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India Express flight with passengers on board en route from Dubai skidded off the runway while landing, at Karippur in Kozhikode. (Image: PTI)

The Union Govt on Friday (August 7) evening ordered a probe into the Air India Express plane crash at Kozhikode airport in Kerala that left 17 passengers dead, including both the pilots, besides leaving many critically injured. Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on behalf of the Centre ordered the investigation into the mishap stating that two teams of professionals from the Air India, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a thorough and detailed investigation. The AAIB is a division of the Civil Aviation Ministry which investigates aircraft accidents and incidents in India.

We are in touch with local authorities. State police have reported 11 deaths. Relief teams from Air India & AAI are being immediately dispatched from Delhi & Mumbai. All efforts being made to help passengers.

A formal enquiry will be conducted by AAIB. — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 7, 2020

Taking to Twitter, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said, "Two investigation teams of professionals from Air India, AAI and AAIB will leave for Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs. Everyone has now been rescued from the aircraft. Rescue operations are now complete. Injured being treated at various city hospitals." The relief teams from Air India and AAI will go from Delhi and Mumbai.

Two investigation teams of professionals from @airindiain @AAI_Official & AAIB will leave for Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs.

Everyone has now been rescued from the aircraft. Rescue operations are now complete. Injured being treated at various city hospitals. — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 7, 2020

The Air India Express flight, IX-1344, which flew in from Dubai to Kozhikode, with a total of 190 people on board--184 passengers, including ten infants, two pilots, and four cabin crew, skidded during landing at the Karipur Airport at around 7.45 pm, said the Kondotty Police. The Airport authorities have issued helpline numbers-0543090572, 0543090573, 0543090575 and 0565463903. Air India Express took to twitter to state that two special relief flights have been arranged from Delhi and one from Mumbai for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and the family members. AAIB, DGCA & Flight Safety Depts have reached to investigate the incident

Two special relief flights have been arranged from Delhi and one from Mumbai for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and the family members. AAIB, DGCA & Flight Safety Depts have reached to investigate the incident: #AirIndiaExpress https://t.co/ITceAb2pHF pic.twitter.com/W6Wb6xldZA

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2020

The Air India Express flight flying out of Dubai to was part of the Centre’s repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission. The Union govt started the Vande Bharat flights from May 6 to repatriate Indian nationals stranded overseas since the Covid-19 induced lockdown reach their destinations via international repatriation flights. The Indian embassy in Dubai tweeted, "Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We pray for well being of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates.Our helplines 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575." "Air India Express has also established helpline number in Sharjah at 00971 6 5970303. People can call them as well for updates. Full details of injured and casualties are awaited," it further tweeted.