New Delhi, Dec 23: Tearful relatives of the victims of the BSF plane crash here that killed all 10 occupants confronted Union Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday with a slew of questions including why “old aircraft” were being used and lives of troops put at risk.
As Singh and mourning relatives bid adieu to victims amid grief and anger, the Border Security Force(BSF) chief DK Pathak maintained that its crashed Beechcraft Super King was completely “airworthy” and flying “very well” and rejected allegations about any possible defect in the 11-seater aircraft. A small 20-year-old BSF plane ferrying the force’s technical personnel to Ranchi crashed in Dwarka area Tuesday and burst into flames just outside IGI airport shortly after take-off.
“Why are old aircraft being used and lives of troops put at risk?” was one of the questions faced by Singh. A distraught and agitated daughter of Sub-Inspector Rabinder Kumar, who was among the 10 personnel killed in Tuesday’s crash, asked Singh and Pathak to “address” these issues so that soldiers on the line of duty are not killed in such mishaps.
“Jawab dijiye (give me an answer). Why only soldiers get killed in such accidents and it never happens to VIPs,” she asked as soon as Singh began meeting the families after paying tributes and placing floral wreaths on mortal remains of the victims.
A composed and moist-eyed Home Minister consoled the young woman and assured that their grievances would be looked into as he said he would review each and every aspect that they have underlined.
Cockpit Voice Recorder found
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the plane has been retrieved from the crash site here and it has been sent for investigation, Pathak said. He said only after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) investigation concludes, the reason for the crash could be known. PTI
