Mangalore runway known for being 'tricky': S M Krishna

''It was known and generally understood that the Mangalore airport and the runway is a very tricky runway and the skills of pilot would be put to maximum test while landing in Mangalore. Our worst fears have come true,'' he said.

However, he refused to identify the reasons behind the mishap, saying "I don't want to speculate on the reasons for the accident....This is a major accident in a long time over a period of a decade. There has been no such accidents."

Describing the crash as "horrifying", Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said urgent enquiry was needed not only into the incident but also the air safety standards.

"Horrifying news of Air India Express crash was tragic loss of life. Urgent enquiry needed not only into accident but overall safety standards," Tharoor tweeted.

All but seven persons on an Air India Express plane from Dubai with 166 people on board are feared dead when the Boeing aircraft crashed after it overshot the runway while landing at Mangalore airport this morning.