Faridabad crash a reminder of several similar past incidents

Several mishaps similar to the Faridabad incident, in which a plane crashed into two houses, have taken place in the past in many parts of the world.

The images of the 9/11 terror attack during which hijacked passenger aircraft tore through World Trade Center Twin Towers are still fresh in the minds of most people.

But in respect of air accidents too, in which planes went down in residential areas, the US has reported some of the worst incidents.



An American Airlines plane crashed into the Belle Harbour neighbourhood in New York City soon after takeoff from John F Kennedy International Airport on November 12, 2001, killing 260 people on board and five on the ground.

On February 13, 2009, a Continental Airlines plane crashed into a house in a Buffalo suburb, killing 49 on board and one person in the building.

In Brazil, a TAM Airlines aircraft crashed while landing in Sao Paulo on July 17, 2007. It crossed the runway and rammed into a TAM Express warehouse. A total of 187 people aboard were killed in addition to 12 people on the ground.

On April 18, 2002, a small plane slammed into the upper floors of a skyscraper in Milan in Italy, killing three.

Closer home, in Hyderabad, an Indian Navy plane performing at an air show crashed into a two-storeyed residential building killing two pilots and injuring two persons on the ground on March 3 last year.

On March 3, 1972, a Mohawk Airlines twin-engine turboprop airliner crashed into a house in New York, killing 17 people.

Also in New York, on July 28, 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building. The mishap killed 14 people, including 11 office workers.

10 killed as air ambulance crashes in Faridabad

At least 10 people, including seven on board a chartered air ambulance carrying a critically ill patient, were killed when the aircraft crashed in a densely populated area of Faridabad city of Haryana on the outskirts of the national capital late Wednesday night.

The aircraft crashed on two houses in Parvatia locality near Sector 22 of Faridabad town in bad weather, barely minutes before it was to land here, police and aviation officials said.

Seven people, including two pilots, were killed in the crash. Three people died on the ground and one was injured, senior police officials said.

Ten people including the seven on board the aircraft died in the crash, Faridabad Police Commissioner P.K.Aggarwal said. Three people had died on the ground and one was injured and the toll could go up, he added.

Only three bodies were recovered till 12.30 a.m., Additional Deputy Commissioner (Faridabad) Anita Yadav said.

Police said that victims included three women.

Apart from the two pilots, the plane was also carrying four passengers, including a doctor, all of whom died.

The air ambulance was carrying Rahul Raj, a critically ill patient from a private hospital in Patna for treatment to Apollo Hospital here when the accident took place. The aircraft had gone from New Delhi to bring the patient from Patna.

The Pilatus PC-12 single-engined turbo-prop aircraft was flying to the capital from Patna, rushing a seriously-ill patient for specialised medical treatment when the crash occurred at 10.50 pm., five minutes after it lost contact with the Air Traffic Control at Delhi airport, aviation officials said.

The aircraft was descending from 8,000 feet when it went off the ATC radar, an official said.

The plane crashed into two houses in a thickly populated area of Delhi's suburban town and 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to aid in the rescue operations, Haryana police chief Ranjiv Dalal told IANS in Chandigarh.

Flames billowed from the houses as residents of the area rushed to clear the debris. Mangled remains of the aircraft were littered all over the area.

An eyewitness told a TV news channel that he was on the roof of his house as he usually 'stargazed' at night when he noticed a plane flying 'sideways' instead of straight in heavy wind conditions.

According to an ATC official, 'apart from the difficulty of operating a single-engined aircraft, doing so in heavy wind conditions can cause a disaster. In heavy wind conditions, the backdraft from the wind hitting the tail can make the aircraft unstable and cause it to nosedive'.

The aircraft, registration number VT-ACF, was being operated by Air Charter Services India. The aircraft was manufactured in 2005.

25th Surajkund Crafts Mela 2011 - A Kaleidoscope of Indian Handicrafts, Handlooms and Folk Traditions

The Surajkund Crafts is an annual event that highlight some of the finest handloom and handicraft traditions of the country.

From 1st to 15th February rural India basks in the warmth of admiration at Surajkund mela village that lies some 8 km from South Delhi.

The Mela also celebrates the rhythms of folk theatre- and a theme State that makes each visitor marvel.

Route Map:


25th Surajkund Crafts Mela 2011

Surajkund becomes alive with the rhythm and beats of folk dances and riot of colors.

Uzbekistan is the Partner Country of 25th Surajkund Crafts Mela 2011. It is one of the six independent Turkic states. It is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Andhra Pradesh- The magic of vibrant Andhra Pradesh is the theme state for this year Mela.

Surajkund is the annual fair that showcases the finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances & flavours of rich Indian cuisines. As winter turns briefly into spring, a caravan of more than 400 National and State awardee craftpersons from every corner of India wind their way to Surajkund. The craftpersons from SAARC Nations are also participating in the Surajkund Crafts Mela. At Surajkund Mela, the artisans' delicate hands create the most beautiful pieces which have fascinated many through ages !

25th Surajkund Crafts Mela offers a lot of Fun, Frolic,Entertainment and exclusive shopping. In the rural ambience, more than 400 craftperson will display and Demonstrate their finest crafts work that is set to capture your hearts. The authentic fragrances & flavours of rich Indian cuisines will kindle your taste buds. Tap your feet with the beats of enthralling folk dancers from the various parts of the country.

A fair to cherish and remember..... forever.









HIGHLIGHTS

* The Craftspersons from all over India, SAARC and other neighbouring countries would be selling the best of Handlooms and Handicrafts items.
* Andhra Pradesh the Theme State of this Year Mela known for rice Granery of India. Best known for monuments,handicrafts, handloom and cusines.
* A number of neihbouring countires would also be participating in thsi Mela.
* Best of Cultural programmes organized jointly by Ministry of Culture,ICCR,New Delhi, Theme State Andhra Pradesh and Cultural Affairs Department, Haryana & Haryana Kala Parishad.
* Exporters Meet and Buyers Meet to be held at Surajkund Design Galleries with assistance of the DC Handlooms and DC Handicrafts.
* Food Court with variety of Indian & SAARC countries Food.
* Amusement Zone with playful rides and swings.
* Folk Dances by Schools/Colleges at Chaupal daily from 11 a.m. onwards

New Chhath Puja ghat in Faridabad

To win the support of migrants from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh working in the industrial township of Faridabad, Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced that a pucca Chhath Puja Ghat will be constructed at NIT, Faridabad.

Hooda was addressing a rally in Faridabad on Sunday afternoon. The CM claimed that the state government has sanctioned Rs 2,082 crore to connect YMCA and Ballabgarh with Metro rail, which will not only improve connectivity between Delhi and Faridabad, but also give a push to the industrial and commercial development in the city.

The chief minister also announced to set up a new 50-bed hospital in sector 55-56.

The government is also carrying out a survey for regularization of unauthorized colonies in the city. According to the 2001 Census, at least one-fourth of Faridabad's population lives in slums. The state government has already prepared a plan to arrest the growth of these clusters in the city.

Hooda also claimed that with a view to restore the lost glory of this famous industrial town, a number of steps have already been taken by the state government. He said that an Industrial Model Town (IMT) is being set up at Faridabad and various development schemes costing Rs 850 crore have been sanctioned for the district. Lashing out at the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government for neglecting the city, Hooda alleged that his government has spent three times more to the tune of Rs 1513.76 crore on development of Faridabad as compared to Rs 501.34 crore by the previous government.

Hooda also alleged that the main opposition party at the Centre, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), did not let the winter session of the Lok Sabha run.

He claimed that the Congress-led UPA had planned to adopt and pass several bills in the interest of the poor and farmers.