Mangalore Crash Report Out on August 31

New Delhi, Aug 4 (DHNS): The Centre on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that the court of inquiry on the Mangalore air crash will submit its report on August 31.

Stating this in the Rajya Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the probe committee headed by Air Marshal (Retd) B N Gokhale has been conducting the probe into the Air India Express crash in which 158 persons were killed.

The minister said Rs 14.56 crore has been disbursed as compensation to the family of the deceased. The final compensation will be assessed in accordance with the provisions of the Carriage by Air Act, 1972, which incorporates the Montreal Convention. In 40 cases, AIE has almost finalised the extent of final compensation as per the Montreal Convention.

After the tragedy, the Civil Aviation Ministry had taken several steps to prevent such incidents, including setting up of a Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council under the chairmanship of the Director-General of Civil Aviation comprising experts from industry and stake holders. Based on the Council’s suggestion, the DG has already issued directions on safety issues to concerned sections including monsoon training, review of missed approach and presence of cabin crew in cockpit in case of one pilot leaving the cockpit, the minister said.

A team of officials from Aerodrome and Flight Standard Directorate had also carried out special audit of airports identified as critical and reviewed its facilities. As per its audit it was found that 11 airports including Mangalore were critical and their facilities were being reviewed. 

Cameron’s flight

Patel also claimed that there was no blanking of airspace over Delhi last week and British Prime Minister David Cameron’s aircraft did not face any trouble. “Nothing of that sort happened,” Patel said responding to questions after the calling attention motion.

The flight of the Boeing-747 carrying the British Premier was “continuously monitored” and “there was no blanking of airspace,” he said when members asked about reports that a radar glitch delayed his landing.