Air India plane crash in Mangalore kills 166, sparks probe

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V.P. Agarwal, director of Airports Authority of India, said the incident will be investigated and it will be presumptuous to draw any conclusion now. However, "There was no distress indication from the pilot. That means between the pilot and the airport communication there was no indication of any problem," Agarwal said.

"The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has already ordered an inquiry. Air India has constituted a team headed by executive director operations to take all necessary steps to establish circumstances, including collection of data pertaining to the accident. The team would assist the DGCA in inquiry into the accident," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said, adding that he is unwilling to draw any conclusion till the inquiry submits its report.

Boeing has sent a technical team to help Indian authorities investigate the incident. The twin-engined Boeing 737 used in the ill-fated flight is the world's most widely sold family of planes and has been in service since 1968.

The accident has baffled everyone as not only the aircraft was new and had not reported any defect or malfunction earlier, but also it was flown by experienced pilots - commander, Z. Glusica, a British national of Serbian origin, who had over 10,200 hours of flying experience, had flown in and out of Mangalore airport at least 19 times, while co-pilot H.S. Ahluwalia had operated 66 times from the same airport.

However, industry experts claim the short runway surrounded by deep gorges renders the airport unsafe. According to former Chief Flight Inspector, DGCA, Air Marshal Denzil Keelor said Mangalore airport lacked sufficient overshoot area, making the airfield unsuitable for any mistakes. The airport, whose runway had been increased from 6,000 feet to 8,000 feet to factor in landing of bigger aircraft, however, does not have a history of any accident.

According to one survivor, the plane "broke into two" as soon as it landed. Another survivor said that upon landing the plane "deviated and hit something." Thereafter the plane burst into flames, the survivor added.

Local television networks showed images of charred bodies lying in the forest terrain.

World leaders have condoled the deaths, expressing deep shock and grief.

While Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed "sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and wishes of speedy recovery of the injured in the air crash," U.S. Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said United States expressed condolences and is ready to 'offer any appropriate assistance."