AT this stage, it is premature to list the actual reasons for the PIA plane crash as the same would be known after the inquiry has been completed. The probable cause that comes to one’s mind is as follows:

During flight, one of the aircraft’s two engines caught fire due to which this engine exploded. The explosion caused structural damage to the aircraft and damaged its wing. That affected the aerodynamics which forced the aircraft to fall freely to the ground.

The pilot couldn’t resort to gliding as the aerodynamics of the aircraft had totally changed. If the aircraft had remained intact, it could glide for a distance of around 25kms.

It may be mentioned that an ATR can glide even if both the engines of this aircraft give way or are switched off.

Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan

Karachi

(2)

IN time, most of us will forget the PIA plane crash. However, we as a nation must raise our voices collectively against the callous disregard for human life. How often we have heard statements like the prime minister ordering an inquiry, the CM taking notice, the interior minister pledging to deal with an iron hand. Those held responsible to get harsh punishments and so on and so forth. All that comes of these pronouncements is a big zero.

I am a retired pilot with 44 years in the cockpit and can assure you that the safest mode of travel today is by air, because modern aircraft are extremely safe. Every system has a back-up, the pilots are trained well and commercial aviation is about the most regulated industry in the world. However, when airlines are mismanaged and the regulatory body ceases to discharge its function, then accidents occur.

The latest crash is because of such failures, and the inquiry, even if it puts together the eventual cause of the crash, will be a cover-up shielding those responsible.

Modern aircraft engines do not fail unexpectedly, but failure is built up only if signs of wear and tear are neglected. In most government endeavours work is accomplished on paper only. In the case of PIA, maintenance and most of the repairs are on paper only relying on the dependability of aircraft systems to compensate.

Had we a system of justice that was independent of government largesse one could go to court and seek an end to such callousness and corruption.

Javed Khan Tareen

Islamabad

(3)

THE manner in which TV channels have handled the PIA flight 661 crash is heart breaking. The treatment of the accident in which 47 persons lost their lives was not only unprofessional but extremely sad.

The death of Junaid Jamshed, who was among the victims, was over projected by the channels. His demise no doubt is a big loss but the other people who died have also left their loved ones grieving. The air time given to minor non-events in the tragedy by the electronic media was far in excess than what is the norm in such cases for media the world over.

Among other things, many of the TV channels sought the views of people who had nothing to do with civil aviation. As such these experts’ views on the crash were mere rhetoric and clichés. Many if not all TV anchors sounded ridiculously like laymen.

Aijaz Ali Shah

Karachi

Published in Dawn December 11th, 2016