Crashed Mangalore plane was one of Air India's best, claims CMD

Mangalore, May 23 (ANI): Air India on Sunday said that various comments on the condition of the AIR India Express IX-812 plane that crashed in Mangalore on Saturday were baseless, and that it was one of the newest aircrafts.

Addressing a press conference here, the Air India's CMD Arvind Jadhav said: "The aircraft was brand new, just a few years old."

Mr. Jadhav also said that both the pilots had three days of rest." and Captain Harbinder Singh Ahluwalia had put in 3,750 hours of flying hours of experience into the job."

"They were experienced, didn't violate any DGCA guidelines, they were well rested, " Mr. Jadhav further stated.

He also announced an interim compensation to the kin of the victims of the Mangalore plane-crash that left 158 persons as dead and eight persons injured on Saturday.

While announcing the interim compensation of rupees 10,00,000 for the deceased (adults), Rs. 500,000 (kids) and Rs 200,000 for the injured, Mr. Jadhav said: "What Prime Minister has announced is over and above this compensation."

He said that 128 bodies have been handed over to the families and 12 bodies have not yet been identified as they were charred beyond recognition.

The CMD said that the AIR India, as a family, felt overwhelmed by the response of all who came forward in the rescue work.

"We were overwhelmed by the response of villagers, young doctors, local administration, local people," said Jadhav while expressing his gratefulness to the local rescuers.

"They not only helped in recovering bodies but also helped take them to hospitals," he said while appreciating the local disaster management group's quick response (ANI)