Shillong: Union civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi today said air crash investigation reports would provide definite answers about the airworthiness of choppers that were in service in the Northeast.
After inaugurating the new terminal building at Umroi airport, about 35 km from here, Ravi said, “We are awaiting the investigation report of the chopper crash of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu. I will comment only after I get the report,” when asked about allegations that old choppers were being used in the Northeast, leading to frequent crashes.
A three-member committee had been formed to probe the circumstances leading to the crash of Dorjee Khandu’s chopper, which resulted in his death along with four others.
Khandu’s Pawan Hans chopper crashed on April 30 at Luguthang, 10 minutes after take-off from Tawang helipad in Arunachal Pradesh.
The government had also formed a committee of inquiry to probe the April 19 chopper crash at Tawang that claimed the lives of 17 people.
The Union ministry also announced the formation of the Independent Accident Investigation Committee (IAIC) recently to probe air crashes in the country.
Ravi also hinted that chopper services in the region would resume only after mapping of chopper routes throughout the country is completed.
While inaugurating the new terminal, Ravi assured the Meghalaya government that his ministry would expedite the upgrade of the Baljek airport in West Garo Hills.
26/06/11 The Telegraph
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