Picking through wreckage at Mangalore Airport on Sunday, investigators searched for the black boxes for this doomed Air-India Express flight. The plane, carrying Indian migrant workers from Dubai, skidded off the runway while landing on Saturday, killing 158 on board. Eight people amazingly survived. But now questions turn to what, if anything could have been done to prevent the accident and save more lives. Eyewitnesses at a nearby tea-store, who rescued some of the survivors, pointed their fingers at the government.
“If the airport authorities had helicopters at their disposal, then some more lives could have been saved. Even the fire engines took time to reach the crash site, and that also compounded the problem. "
Indian Aviation, which has been a boom in private carriers, has also been under considerable scrutiny. A 2006 report by the International Civil Aviation Organization listed the country as the worst on technical personnel qualifications and training. While the runway at Mangalore was large enough for the Boeing 737, there wasn't any room for error. Upon hearing of the accident, the Indian Aviation Minister went to the site. He said he felt personally responsible for the incident, but stopped short of placing blame.
"The technical aspects pertaining to the runway, airline, and wind speed were found to be in a pristine order. However, it could be unfair and incorrect to blame the pilots or any other technical snag before the investigation report comes out."
A second probe into the plane crash has been ordered. Officials hope two inquiries will shed some light on the worst major crash here in over a decade.
Ian Lee, Reuters.
