An Air India (AI) Express flight crashed in the South Indian state of Kerala after skidding off the runway while landing at Calicut International Airport taking lives of almost 20 people, media reports say.
According to the details, the death toll has reportedly increased to 20, including the pilot and co-pilot while many are in critical situation. Thirty eight injured passengers on board the flight from Dubai to Kozhikode have been admitted to Aster MIMS, Calicut, Baaghi TV has learnt.
Air India Express flight skids off runway, pilot and 12 killed
Baaghi TV has also learnt that on July 11, 2019, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to the director of the Calicut international airport after it found some lack of maintenance at some critical areas as per the safety standards.
The notice said that “cracks are observed at runway 28 TDZ (touchdown zone) and along runway C/L marking at runway 10 TDZ”. It is important to mention here that the touchdown zone is the part where the aircraft first contacts the surface while landing.
Air India plane crash: DGCA’s first official statement
Air India’s official statement on the crash landing
Moreover, the aviation watchdog said that “excessive rubber deposit” was also seen in the area from runway C/L marking to three metres on both the sides of touchdown zone of runway 28.
It is pertinent to mention here that on July 2, 2019, an AI Express flight coming from Dammam had a tail strike while landing at the Calicut international airport. Under directions from the DGCA, Air India Express suspended the pilots involved in this incident.
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