A high profile Nationalist Congress Party leader and the Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel is saddened by the Mangalore crash. Patel, who was in Mumbai, spoke to Sanjay Jog on the worst accidents in a decade in the Indian civil aviation. Edited excerpts
What do you want to say about the Mangalore crash?
I am saddened and anguished over the incident. However, it is not a reflection on the safety standards set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other agencies.
Was it due to pilot error or technical snag?
Investigations have already been launched by DGCA. I will prefer the investigation to complete before making any comment in this regard. It’s a really unfortunate one. Apparently, all technical parameters and systems appear to be in place.
Doubts have been raised over the length of the Mangalore runway.
There is a criticism about the length of the Mangalore runway. All I can say is that it is a new runway replacing a 6,000 ft runway by a 7,500 ft runway fully compliant for Boeing 737-800 operations. Runways should be judged by the type of aircraft landing and takeoff, rather than its length. It has all the navigational and other aides to fly.
What lessons can be learnt from the crash?
We can always learn. After the ongoing detailed inquiry we will take necessary corrective steps. I want to mention here that civil aviation unlike other modes of transport is a universal. It’s guided by global charter. We are all signatories of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which sets standards and guidelines for global aviation. India complies with them 100 per cent.
Your offer to resign owning moral responsibility, has been rejected by the prime minister. Whats your take?
As I said, I was saddened by the incident and offered to resign. I am grateful to the prime minister. I have been in the civil aviation ministry for the last six years and looked after it like a baby. It pains and saddens me when incident of this nature happens. I feel anguished.