‘Radar conked out 2 days before crash’

Mangalore: As many as 20 persons deposed during the first hearing of Court of Inquiry probing the Air India Express aircraft crash, here on Tuesday.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) Watch Supervisory Officer (WSO) Girish Kamath, who was present at the Air Traffic Control (ATC) office on the ill-fated day said the radar at the airport was not functioning from May 20. “However, procedural controls help pilot to descend an aircraft in the absence of radar services,” he said.
ATC Senior Manager Mahesh Pai, who was heading the control at the time of mishap said the aircraft appeared to touch down beyond pre-determined position.
Ronald John Vaz, the officer from Indian Meteorological Department said there was good visibility of up to six kms during landing and the runway was dry. However, Gaurav Porwal, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer of Air India Charters Limited (AICL) said it started drizzling 30 seconds before the landing of the aircraft.
18/08/10 Bellevision.com

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