Probe on into air crash, next of kin get Rs 2 lakh

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday began an inquiry into the crash of a small medical ambulance aircraft in a residential area in Faridabad, Haryana, that left 10 persons dead, including seven on board, by inspecting the site of the mishap.

The DGCA has appointed an inspector of inquiry, who will take charge of all material evidence at the site of the mishap including the wreckage of the plane in Sector 22.

A six-member DGCA team has started inspecting the site of the crash, officials said.

The inspector of inquiry will hand over the material evidence to the court of inquiry when it will be set up.

In Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed shock over the death of 10 persons in the crash and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the three deceased persons hailing from Faridabad.

He also announced a financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to each of the three injured.

In a statement, the chief minister said that the damage caused to the house due to the plane crash would be assessed and duly compensated.

A senior DGCA official had said on Wednesday night that the plane was in contact with the air traffic control and on the radar before suddenly vanishing and losing touch.

Three persons on the ground -- all women -- were among the 10 dead when the P-12 single-engine turboprop aircraft belonging to Delhi-based Air Chartered Services India Limited crashed in Jawaharnagar locality near the IAF station in the Delhi suburb at around 10.35 shortly before landing at IGI airport in Delhi.