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Pilot killed in Kerala plane crash was a decorated ex-Air Force pilot; co-pilot just got married last year

Wing Commander Deepak Vasant Sathe, one of the two pilots of the ill-fated Air India Express plane en route from Dubai to Kerala had an illustrious career, reported the website Defence Aviation Post.

Sathe was a decorated Indian Air Force pilot having had numerous awards. He was described as very experienced in flying Boeing 737 planes.

He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1981 after winning the President’s Gold Medal in the 58 NDA President Gold Medal, according reports. He also completed his first training in the 127th Course of the Indian Air Force with the Sword of Honor.

Meanwhile, his co pilot Captain Akhilesh Kumar had just been married last year.

The ill-fated flight was part of the Vande Bharat programme that has been fetching Indians from abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As of this posting, the death toll has climbed to 17 and more than 120 sustained minor to serious injuries.

The Air India Express flight IX 1344 that overshot the runway of the Kozhikode International Airport (Calicut) amid heavy rainfall.

The plane departed Dubai at 2:14 p.m., Friday, according to the website FlightAware.com. Local authorities said the aircraft was carrying 191 passengers and crew.

Flightradar24 shows the plane appears to have attempted to land twice at the airport. Survivors told local news that the aircraft went up and down many times before landing and the disaster occurred after the plane had clearly touched the runway.

Mark Nituma

Mark Nituma is a skilled journalist whose career is defined by his unwavering dedication to storytelling and his passion for uncovering the untold stories. After graduating from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Mark began his journey in the media industry as a researcher for the internationally-awarded TV magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, before eventually becoming a producer. Over the years, Mark's journalism career has taken him to some of the most beautiful and least visited places in the Philippines. His ability to capture unique perspectives on life in diverse communities is truly remarkable and has enabled him to rise through the ranks. Today, as the editorial director of TFT, Mark plays a critical role in ensuring that the publication upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity. His leadership and dedication have helped to shape TFT into one of the leading sources of news and information for Filipinos in the UAE and the Middle East. If you have a story to pitch or simply want to connect, you can reach him at [email protected].

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