Air India plane crash live updates: DGCA show-caused Calicut airport in July last year

Read: 17 dead as Air India Express flight overshoots Kozhikode’s table-top runway

An Air India Express flight from Dubai trying to land in torrential rain with 190 people on board overshot the tabletop runway at Kozhikode’s Calicut International Airport on Friday and went 35 feet down a slope at 7.41pm, killing at least 17, in a chilling reminder of the 2010 crash at Mangalore’s table-top airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, broke in two. The deceased include the flight commander, Deepak V Sathe, and co-pilot Akhilesh Kumar.

Tahir Qadiry, Afghan Charge d'Affaires to India, paid condolences "to the dear ones" of the deceased of the Air India Express plane tragedy in Kozhikode.

"Shocked and pained to learn about the Air India tragic plane accident in Kozhikode, Kerala. On behalf of the Afghan Mission in India, I express my deepest condolences to the dear ones of the victims. Wishing the wounded a speedy recovery and may the souls of the demised RIP!," he tweeted.

Alert locals ensured timely help, saved lives.

The timely intervention of local residents, who rushed to the accident spot at Kozhikode’s Calicut International Airport, saved many lives. As many as 173 persons were admitted to various hospitals in Kozhikode and Malappuram. The condition of 15 is reportedly serious..

DGCA show-caused airport in July last year

Calicut Airport had last July been served a show-cause notice by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), following a spate of aircraft herring off runway on landing on wet runways. DGCA’s inspection of Calicut had revealed concerns like “excessive rubber deposits”, apart from finding cracks and stagnating water on parts of the runway. It had also pointed out more than permitted slope in certain areas.

As of now, there are 17 confirmed deceased including the two pilots. The four cabin crew members are confirmed safe: Air India Express statement

Pak PM Imran Khan expresses grief over Air India Express tragedy, reports ANI.

"Saddened to learn of the Air India plane crash in Kerala state leading to loss of innocent lives. May Allah give strength to the bereaved families in their difficult hour," Khan tweeted on Friday.

Both the pilots — Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe and Captain Akhilesh Kumar — perished in the crash, AI Express has confirmed.

Both the pilots lost their lives in the crash: Air IndiaExpress

Seventeen people, including the pilot, lost their lives in the Dubai-Calicut Air India Express flight crash at Karipur airport: Malappuram Collector K Gopalakrishnan (PTI)