Rahul’s flight develops glitch on way to Karnataka: DGCA terms technical snag as common

The Congress on Thursday sought an investigation by the Karnataka police after an aircraft carrying party president Rahul Gandhi and four others from Delhi to Hubli developed a technical glitch.

Congress functionary Kaushik Vidyarthee, who is travelling in Special Flight from New Delhi-Hubli, with 4 others including Rahul Gandhi, wrote to DG and IG Karnataka stating 'unexplained technical failures' occurred during the course of the flight. He also added 'shuddering & altitude dipping was not natural or weather-related'.

Vidyarthee also claimed that the unusual activity of the aircraft was not related to weather.

Replying to Kaushik Vidyarthee, DGCA said,''It was snag of autopilot mode & pilot shifted to manual & landed safely. Such autopilot incidents are not uncommon. For any VIP flight, DGCA examines in detail. We shall do here also.''

Meanwhile, Renuka Sukumar, DCP (Law & Order) said,''We've received a complaint in which passengers of the aircraft have mentioned about unexplained technical snag. We've taken up the case & are investigating.''

Gandhi is on a two-day tour of Karnataka ahead of the May 12 assembly elections in the state.