Deepak Vasant Sathe had won 'Sword of Honour' when he passed out from the Air Force Academy.
Deepak Vasant Sathe: Former Air Wing Commander Deepak Vasant Sathe who served the Indian Air Force from June 11, 1981, to June 30, 2003, has been killed in yesterday’s aeroplane mishap while it was landing at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode. The incident took place at 7:45 PM on Friday, August 7, 2020. Before becoming a Commercial Pilot, Captain Satthe was an accomplished fighter pilot. He has also won the ‘ Sword of Honour’ at the Air Force Academy.
The flight he was flying was a part of the Vande Bharat project who was bringing people from Dubai Airport to their home country in India. “There were a total of 190 people which includes 174 passengers,10 infants, four crew members and two pilots, onboard Dubai-Kozhikode Air India flight (IX-1344) that skidded during landing at Karipur Airport today,” said the Air India Express. The plane has broken into two parts.
It is reported that mishap took place because of the heavy rainfall as the visibility was 2000 metres. The plane fell around 35 feet down and after the crash plane was divided into two parts. Its front part was damaged and viz-a-viz people in the rear part survived. However, everyone has got injured. The injured have been rescued and taken to the multiple hospitals and dead to Kondotty Hospital.
According to reports, over a dozen people were killed in the mishap including Pilot Sathe. Announcing the mishap on Twitter, the Indian embassy in Dubai tweeted, “Air India Express Flight No IX 1344 from Dubai to Calicut skidded off the runway. We pray for the well being of passengers and crew and will keep you updated as and when we receive further updates. Our helplines 056 546 3903, 0543090572, 0543090572, 0543090575.”
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“Air India Express has also established a helpline number in Sharjah at 00971 6 5970303. People can call them as well for updates. Full details of injured and casualties are awaited,” it further wrote on the social media platform.
Captain Sathe had also flown through the Airbus 310 for Air India before moving to Air India Express on the Boeing 737. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid his condolences and spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the phone about the plane accident and has assured for assistance from the centre. Meanwhile, India’s Aviation Watchdog has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.
The authorities have issued helpline numbers-0543090572, 0543090573, 0543090575 and 0565463903. Karipur Airport control room opens helpline number 04832719493 for more information on Air India Express plane accident.
