The Hindu Business Line : Film actress on poll campaign killed in Cessna air crash

The remains of the Cessna single engine aircraft, which crashed at Jakkur airbase near Bangalore on Saturday. All the four persons on board, including actress Soundarya and the pilot, were killed. The actress, who had joined the BJP recently, was on her way to Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh to campaign for the party. The aircraft belonged to Agni Aviation. — G.R.N. Somashekar

Bangalore , April 17

ACTRESS Soundarya, who recently joined the BJP, and three others were killed on Saturday, when their Cessna aircraft crashed minutes after take off at Jakkur airfield near Bangalore.

"The aircraft must have got caught in a sudden gust of wind and crashed," Capt Arvind Sharma, promoter of Agni Aviation and Adventure Pvt Ltd, which owned the Cessna, told Business Line. The aircraft crashed killing all the four including the pilot, instantly. The

bodies were charred beyond recognition, the police said. The Director-General of Civil Aviation has ordered an enquiry into the accident.

Soundarya was on her way to address a political rally in Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh along with her brother and film producer Amarnath and a BJP activist. Soundarya, who was a qualified doctor, had married a software engineer eight months ago.

Capt Sharma said some of the eyewitnesses had informed him that they could hear the engine running even as the aircraft hit the ground. "Hence, there may not be any problems with the engine," he said. He added that another reason for the crash could be that while trying to avoid a bird, the pilot must have turned the aircraft suddenly and as the aircraft had not gained enough height for such a manoeuvre, it must have come crashing down. The pilot, Capt Joy Philip had around 400 hours of flying and was employed with Agni Aviation for a year, Capt Sharma said. He added that the Cessna was bought in 1991 for around Rs 70 lakh.

Capt Sharma said Agni Aviation runs a flying club and does not hire out its aircraft but does so only during emergencies. "The aircraft is used only for five to six days in a month," he said. He added that this time, he had allowed it to be hired out because of a request from one of his friends from Hyderabad. Apart from running a flying club, Agni Aviation assembles the short takeoff and landing (STOL) micro light aircraft and has so far sold around 56 of these aircrafts.

More Stories on : Accidents | People | Politics | Cinema

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Film actress on poll campaign killed in Cessna air crash

Aviation safety norms ignored again?

IA package tours for Lanka

Railways to invite pvt cos to fund R&D projects