JOIN USThe Congress on Thursday filed a complaint with the Karnataka director general of police, claiming that special flight (VT-AVH) carrying Congress president Rahul Gandhi and others from New Delhi to Hubballi malfunctioned, putting the lives of passengers in danger.
In the complaint to DG-IGP Neelmani N Raju, Kailash Vidyarthee, one of the passengers on the plane, said the aircraft developed “unexplained technical failures” during the
flight. “Serious questions related to intentional tampering with the aircraft cannot also be brushed aside and are required to be addressed and investigated,” the complaint added.
The plane, carrying Rahul Gandhi and four others, left New Delhi around 9.30 am and landed in Hubballi at around 11.30 am.
The complaint said that just before arriving at Hubballi, the plane suddenly tilted heavily on the left side and started losing altitude with violent shuddering.
The shuddering and altitude dipping were not natural or weather related, it added.
The complaint said, “It is to be stated that the weather outside was sunny, normal and not windy as per the observation of the passengers and as per the forecast of the day.
The whole flight experience left the passengers with a lot of anxiety and stress, and positively fearing for their lives. The crew was also petrified and admitted that the flight was particularly frightening and uncommon,” it added.
It further said that the autopilot system of the aircraft was not functioning.
The complaint also demanded that the private aircraft be grounded at Hubballi airport with immediate effect and not be allowed to make another flight till the investigation is over.
The DGCA said in New Delhi that it would examine the issue.
“The operator has reported the incident to us. According to the report, it was a snag of the autopilot mode. The pilot shifted to manual mode and landed safely..Shutting of autopilot incidents are not uncommon. For any VIP flight, DGCA examines it in detail. We shall do here also,” the DGCA added.