Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Government has
ordered an inquiry into a two-seater private plane, belonging
to an aviation academy, making an emergency landing at a field
in the city outskirts last week, an official said on Tuesday.
A Cessna-152, used to train pilots, had made an
emergency landing in Jagatpur area on May 14 due to some
technical glitch in the engine. No one was injured in the
incident.
"An inquiry has been ordered with regard to the
emergency landing of a Cessna-152 plane belonging to the
Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics (AAA)," Vipul Mitra,
Secretary, Civil Aviation and Tourism, told agency.
"The inquiry has already begun and we are questioning
some of the eyewitnesses, checking records at the airport and
of the private academy. We are also examining if proper
procedures were followed by the AAA."
Asked about reports that two trainee women pilots were
flying the plane, Mitra said, "We would be examining this
aspect also."
However, according to police, trainee pilot Gayatri
Sardeshpande was flying the aircraft under the supervision of
Capt Naresh Devjani.
Mitra said the inquiry report is likely to be ready in
15-20 days.
The plane took off from the Ahmedabad airport and
developed a technical fault after covering over 15 nautical
miles following which the pilot decided to land in the fields
to avoid casualty.
The front wheel and the fan of the plane were damaged
due to impact of the emergency landing on an uneven surface.
Fire tenders, police and officials of the AAA had rushed to
the spot after hearing about the incident.
PTI
