The Hindu : Front Page : Rajnath’s plane takes off under jeep lights

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Wednesday, Oct 21, 2009
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Rajnath’s plane takes off under jeep lights

Dumka/New Delhi: In a glaring violation of air safety norms, a small aircraft carrying BJP president Rajnath Singh took off from an unlit airstrip in Dumka in Jharkhand in pitch darkness on Monday night guided only by the headlights of jeeps.

Taking note of the incident, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel ordered a probe by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and appealed to VIPs not to pressure pilots to operate flights under unfavourable conditions. Mr. Singh was accompanied by some senior party leaders in the chartered eight-seater plane.

The runway at the airstrip, which does not have air traffic control facility, was lit up for take-off by several vehicles lined up alongside with their headlights on, according to officials and BJP leaders.

The take-off, described as “risky” by State Civil Aviation Secretary P.K. Jajoria, came a few weeks after the crash of a helicopter in Andhra Pradesh claiming the lives of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and others.

In New Delhi, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters: “It is too premature to say who is responsible till the inquiry is over. But I would appeal to VIPs not to pressure pilots.”

He also appealed to the VIPs “to refrain from taking avoidable risks” and cautioned pilots to strictly adhere to all safety norms.

BJP leaders in the national capital said it was entirely the pilots’ decision and their president was not in a haste to leave. — PTI

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