Daijiworld Media Network -Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Sep 26: The pilot of an Air India flight with 173 passengers on board, which had left the international airport here on Thursday, had to resort to emrgency landing soon after take off because of the failure of one of its engines. The pilot of the aircraft underwent trauma momentarily on account of unexpected emergency and frantic cries let out by passengers who were fearing for their lives, it is gathered.
It also has come to light that the company had asked the pilot to take charge of another flight the same night, but he refused as he was yet to come out of the shocking experience he had gone through earlier in the day.
From the moment the pilot sent message to Air Traffic Control here within 30 minutes of takeoff that the aircraft was returning to the airport for emergency landing, emergency was sounded all over the airport. This was the most serious emergency landing at the airport here and messages were dispatched to district administration, police officers, and others asking them to be in readiness to handle unforeseen emergency. All the four fire tender units in the airport were kept in readiness. Ashit Singhe, who was piloting the aircraft, was taken aback at the wails and cries let out by passengers who were scared of losing their lives, it is said.
The pilot showed exemplary composure and courage, apart from exercising control over his senses, and without showing any anxiety, safely landed the aircraft here, bracing the risk of oil spill from the failed engine, risk of the aircraft moving away from the runway on account of wind pressure, and chance of the second engine stopping functioning immediately after touch down. Everyone agrees that this was the best safe landing witnessed here.
It is surprising that the pilot, who saved so many lives by doing everything perfectly, and turned a savior for 173 passengers, has not got appreciation or recognition for his exemplary duty consciousness, calmness and ensuring the safety of his passengers. Airports Authority of India, district administration, other organizations etc have not come forward to hail the pilot for his effort.
In the meanwhile, there is information that a new engine has been dispatched for being fitted in place of the defunct one for the aircraft that remains parked in the hangar of the airport here. In all possibility, the engine will reach here by truck from Thiruvananthapuram by Thursday and the aircraft may be ready to soar to the sky again in one or two days thereafter.