NEW DELHI: An air ambulance with a patient on board did a safe belly landing in Mumbai….
The aircraft (VT-JIL) proceeded to Mumbai and hovered there to burn fuel in preparation for a belly landing — without extending landing gear — and minimise chances of fire.
The runway, say sources, was handed over to aircraft rescue and fire fighting for foam carpeting. Before the plane landed, sources said: “The Jetserv Aviation air ambulance is approaching Mumbai. The crew is burning fuel (to minimise fire risk on belly landing) by hovering and they are going to do a belly landing; not use the landing gear. Foam is being put on the runway to safeguard against fire.”
A message was circulating among friends of the crew on board that read: “Friends, Pls pray for the safety of our friends VT JIL
is under emergency. Right landing gear fallen after take off from Nagpur. 1 Patient, 2 Crew and medical team on board. Capt.
Keshri Singh is flying. Waheguru mehr kare (sic)”
In a statement, Mumbai Airport said, “A full emergency was declared for a non-scheduled Beechcraft VT-JIL aircraft on route
from Nagpur to Mumbai. The flight carrying two crew members, one patient, one relative and a doctor was diverted to Mumbai
and did a belly-landing at CSMIA at 9.09 pm.”
“The airport’s emergency response team including the fire and rescue responders, follow-me vehicles, CISF, medical team
amongst many others was activated instantly and on standby to provide immediate assistance to ensure the safe evacuation of
the passengers. As a precautionary method, CSMIA also foamed runway 27 in order to avoid the aircraft catching fire. All
passengers were evacuated safely and flights operating in and out of Mumbai Airport remain on schedule,” the statement
added.
Captain Kesari Singh used to earlier fly for a state government. While this incident will be probed, aviation industry sources are
questioning the aircraft maintenance of the operator Jetserv Aviation. The DGCA will probe this.
A Jet Serve Ambulance with a patient onboard lost a wheel during takeoff from Nagpur. Showing immense presence of mind
Capt Kesari Singh belly landed the aircraft on foam carpeting in Mumbai. All onboard are safe. Commendable effort by the
DGCA, Mumbai Airport and other agencies,” Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.
