Patna, Jun 23: The passengers of Air India's Delhi-bound flight (AI 410) had a close shave on Sunday as the aircraft virtually went out of control and witnessed turbulent motion, 30 minutes after its take-off from here at 9.25am, from the Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport here. Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh was on board the aircraft.
Yet, the aircraft's commander did not brief the passengers about the causes behind the turbulent motion and the cabin crew too was not very forthcoming on the matter, according to the passengers on board. Officials of the airlines could not be contacted for their comments.
Though the Union minister said that neither he nor other passengers faced any problem, Atul Singh, executive director, Centre for Aviation Policy, Safety and Research, New Delhi, who happened to be on the same flight, spoke about the incident.
He said the aircraft went practically out of control while refreshments were being served. He said the Airbus, while crossing the region under Varanasi air traffic control (ATC), took a violent turn and 'banked' left. The aircraft then became stable for a few seconds and then took a turn towards right. He said the aircraft was sinking and heading towards a 'stall'.
Atul talked to flight commander Captain Amitesh Ahuja, who was initially reluctant to talk but later said, "I requested the Varanasi ATC to grant me permission to ascend to 38,000-feet altitude but was directed to go up to 33,000 feet only. A big jetliner was crossing over my aircraft and the problem appeared by the time I applied throttle."
An aviation expert, Atul said he would lodge a complaint against the commander with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and get the pilot booked for the blunder that may have compromised the safety of passengers and the aircraft
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