Kin of M’lore air crash victims get Rs 24 cr compensation

DHNS

New Delhi, 02 March 2011: Air India Express has so far settled 40 cases by distributing a total of Rs 24.02 crore compensation among the kin of the 158 victims who died in Mangalore air crash.

 

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that Air India was in the process of settling the remaining cases.

 

The Court of Inquiry (COI) has submitted the draft final report on the tragedy to the Central government. The views of Federation of Aviation Administration of the United States have also been sought. The Centre would take necessary action with regard to the implementation of the recommendations made by the COI only after finalising the report.

 

Air safety

 

After the air crash, the Civil Aviation Ministry has taken several steps to strengthen air safety, including the constitution of Civil Aviation Advisory Council, a surveillance and enforcement division. Besides, directions have been issued to all the sections concerned to follow standard operating procedures, the minister said.

 

Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Air India crashed at the tabletop Bajpe airport leaving 158 passengers dead on May 22 last year.

 

Human error

 

The six-member COI headed by retired Air Marshal B N Gokhale in its report submitted to the Civil Aviation Ministry quoted human error as the reason for the crash.

 

It stated that disorientation and delayed response on the part of the pilot and ignoring of the co-pilot’s warning while landing may have led to the tragedy.