To Fly or Not to Fly...?


To Fly or Not to Fly...?

Mangalore, May 25 (Deccan Herald) : After missing the rendezvous with death, the eight survivors of the fatal Mangalore air tragedy now lie on hospital beds with uncertainty reigning their lives. 

On the one hand, they have lost their confidence to fly again, and on the other the question of sustaining their family and making both ends meet has been propelling their thought to go back to Dubai boarding a plane, which has now become a nightmare for them.

Krishnan, a survivor, might have got a new lease of life but his worries have only doubled. Despite having worked in a manpower company in Dubai for nine long years, Krishnan has not yet managed to build a house of his own and he knows it well that if he stays back in India, his dream will never be realised.

“When I close my eyes, the only thing that flashes in my inward eye is the horrible episode of the crash. I do not want to fly again but I do not have any other option because there are lots of things left for me to do. Over the last two days, I had  thought of staying back but when I see my daughters, I muster courage and tell myself that I have to go,” Krishnan says with worry peeping over his forced smile.



Another survivor Mayan Kutty has made a decision and he does not want to spare a second thought. “I have decided not to step on any flight ever again. When I am asleep, I feel as though I am falling into a bottomless well from where there is no escape. I think I can never overcome this feeling,” Kutty said and added that there were days when he used to look forward to board a flight and watch cotton heap like clouds pass by. But, henceforth, he says that he can never enjoy the company of clouds.

Pradeep G K, an A/C technician, says that he wants to go back but it is his mother’s fear of losing him that is holding him back. “The incident has undoubtedly made an impact on my mind but I want to move on. Unfortunately, this incident has affected my 65-year-old mother and she says that she can never let me go again. I don’t know what to do,” he said.

Abdulla Puthur Ismail says that he has to overcome the trauma and go ahead, failing which he and his family will have to starve. However, amidst pain, pangs and worries, Minister Muniyappa’s statement of providing suitable employment to the survivors in India itself in case they do not wish to fly back, has brought a ray of hope.

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Comment on this article

  • DON , MANGALORE

    Thu, Jun 10 2010

    THE NEW RUNWAY IS NOT SAFE FOR LANDING IN MANGALORE... PLEASE BANN THAT RUNWAY..TABLE TOP.....

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  • Mohit, Mlore

    Thu, May 27 2010

    Peter,
    Do you think you are safe traveling in Kingfisher ? Have they given you some guarantee that Kingfisher with alcohol n beautiful airhostess wont crash?This shows ur foolishness...Life is always accompanied by death..And how can you be sure that the buses will not fall off from the ghat section ? dont try to be too smart...You never know what the future holds for you .Life n Death remains in the hands of the lord not in AI /Kingfisher.

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  • Peter, mangalore

    Thu, May 27 2010

    I'm better off flying to Bangalore with Kingfisher (better service, also can carry more luggage, and better inflight choice of free alcohol, and better looking air hostesses) than the stupid cattle class air-india express! Then from Bangalore catch durgamba / sugama / vishal bus to mlore.

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  • Irene K, Bangalore / Dubai

    Wed, May 26 2010

    To Fly or Not to Fly...? Well, all I have to say here is we, as passengers got a choice to decide on this - How about the crew members..? Do they have a choice ? As we know that pilots, co-pilots, air hosts and hostesses are on board performing their duties in order to protect the public safety and to monitor passenger's compliance. Their job requires customer service skills and a strong heart to take things lightly (inspite of emergencies or any kind of danger) and not to scare the passengers on board. So, let's appreciate them for their contribution and though risk-bound, they serve us with a smile.

    We all are so very disturbed with the 'tragic' episode, which will never be forgotten. The loss is too severe to be expressed in words - but now it's time for us to pray for all those who lost their lives and for all those grief stricken families who have lost their dear and near ones. May the Almighty Lord give them strength and the comfort of God help them during this difficult time.

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  • Gregory Michael, Kankanady,Dubai

    Tue, May 25 2010

    We Mangaloreans should boycott travelling from bajpe unless and until there are safety measures for all the passengers.

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  • Rizwan, Jaipur/Dublin,Ireland

    Tue, May 25 2010

    After this accident,india is consider as risk taker,does not values of peoples`life.Now Irish are asking "whtas the health, safety and management massures and implication in india ?" Who does risk assessment and impliment in India? we dont have answer . On International level this fact question still remains but india does not care.
    Moreover,My freinds,who are from Mangalore say,that there is always a unknown fear n unpleasant feeling while you are landing on Manglore airport and we close our eyes pray for safe landing.
    All in all,if you really teach to the govt n Airport Authority,dont fly for Manglores Table top,the most risky Airport of the world.
    My heartiest sympathy to all,family nearest n dearest ones of the victims,who lost their relatives.ay rest their soul in peace.

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  • Alen, Bangalore

    Tue, May 25 2010

    I am quite surprised people discussing the length of the runway at Bajpe airport. I agree landing on the old runway was bit scary as I have experienced that myself, but the 2450 m long runway should be good enough to land a 737. So I feel we should not blame the runway or the safety area for the crash. Lets wait for the investigation to happen and the report to come out. Ban'n Bajpe airport is out of question anyways.

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  • Olivia Moras, Puttur, Kuppepadau / Toronto

    Tue, May 25 2010

    Max Sequeira, M'Lore/Bahrain I totally agree with you. It is very scary to fly to Bajpe now. Every time a family member flies to M'lore we have to hold our breadth & wait. So much restriction for those Pilots also. Let them change the runway. Airport is O.K. direction of runway needs to be changed. It shouldn't be facing the death trap - The valley down.
    As you said if the Pilot misses the touchdown point by few hundred meters he's sure to fall down to the valley. That's why the plane exploded, because of the impact of falling so deep. If it was a flat surface Pilot could have easily brought it to halt. It's high time authorities revise the runway issue & build a new one. Safety is important, not money.

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  • JAMEEL , Mangalore/Qatar

    Tue, May 25 2010

    I too have lost a few relatives in the plane crash. but bear in mind, our life is not ours, its been given to us by our creator. He takes it back when he wants to. "life is a Question Paper and living it is an Answer Sheet". Nothing more. The results awaited on the day of judgement. Get on with it to answer the next question.

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  • Max Sequeira, M'Lore/Bahrain

    Tue, May 25 2010

    It has become an extremely difficult decision to make whether to use Bajpe Airport as a passenger. The confidence of the passengers has become so low just for the fact that a small error in judgement by the pilot can lead to disasters like these. I am sure the confidence of Pilots who land on this Airport is at the lowest after this tragedy because it is an established fact that the runway is short and they have no chance if the landing overshoots a few feet. what then the authorities do about this to fill the courage in people and the pilots?

    Is it worth using this Airport on just a 50% chance of survival? Or is it the same Indian attitude of Government and Authorities to tell passengers "TAKE YOUR CHANCES". I for one seriously considering not to land here anymore. According to me, the Government must ban this Airport until the runway is extended to the safe distance.

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