The Hindu : 15 killed as Navy planes collide

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 02, 2002

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15 killed as Navy planes collide

By Our Special Correspondent

Air Force and Navy officials inspect the wreckage of a naval aircraft that collided with another flying in formation in Goa on Tuesday. All 12 crewmen and three on the ground were killed. — AP

NEW DELHI, OCT 1. Two reconnaissance aircraft of the Navy today collided in Goa, killing all the 12 crew on board. At least three persons were reported killed on the ground by the falling debris. This is the worst-ever air disaster involving the crew of the Navy.

The two IL-38 aircraft, belonging to the naval base INS Hansa Dabolim, were flying in close formation as part of the silver jubilee of the Naval Air Squadron 315, known as the `Winged Stallions', when they collided. The aircraft exploded in flames and crashed, one in the fields and the other next to a house under construction, killing the labourers working on the site. At least 19 were reported injured, some seriously.

Speaking to newsmen after talking to the naval chief, the Chief of Air Staff, S. Krishnaswamy, said there were six crew in each aircraft, all of whom were presumed dead. Some people had died on the ground as well. A court of inquiry had been constituted to investigate the accident.

Ironically, the ageing squadron had logged about 30,000 hours of accident-free flying in its 25-year existence till the air show on the silver jubilee marred the record.

The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has condoled the death of naval personnel and others. "I am shocked to hear the news about the mid-air collision of the two transport aircraft of the Indian Navy in Goa. I pray to the almighty for giving strength to the bereaved families to face this irreparable loss. I wish the injured persons speedy recovery," he said in a message.

First built in the mid-Fifties, IL-38 is a potent maritime reconnaissance aircraft and an anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel platform, providing long-range coverage to the surface and sub-surface units.

The crew who died were the pilots, Lt. Commanders R.S. Saini, K.S. Rathore, S.K. Dutta and S.K. Yadav, the navigators, Lt. Cdr A.C. Karadi, N.V. Nirmal and J.D. Dutta, and the corporals Vijay Kumar, Inder Prakash, George Mcaai, Anil Kumar and J.P. Singh.

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