DGCA probe blames Gulf Air pilot for incorrect Kochi landing

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A preliminary probe by the DGCA, into the Gulf Air flight which had skidded off the runway at Kochi international airport, has blamed the pilot for not following universally-accepted parameters for landing in rains and on a wet runway, sources said today.

"It was an incorrect landing by the Gulf Air pilot", said the sources.

There are detailed universally-accepted parameters laid down by DGCA and other international aviation regulators for landing in rain and on a wet runway, but they were not adhered to by the Gulf Air pilot, they said.

DGCA is also set to question the crew of the flight, which was carrying 137 passengers, and the ATC personnel who were on duty at that time at Kochi airport. The black box containing conversations between the pilot and the ATC would also be examined as part of the probe into the incident.

Early today, the plane was towed back to the taxibay after a night-long operation managed to lift the aircraft with the help of huge cranes.

A 100-member expert team from Mumbai was at the spot to assist the operation. Airport sources also said the runway has been cleared and normal services would soon resume at the airport.