H.S. Ahluwalia, the co-pilot of the ill-fated Air India flight that crashed in Mangalore on Saturday morning, was brilliant at his work and had achieved 95 per cent marks in his entrance examinations, claimed his friends. While his family remained elusive, his friends said that they were upset over statements issued by the government that the accident occurred due to human error.
Ahluwalia (40), who was unmarried, lived with his family — his mother, two brothers and a sister — at Shahid Bhagat Singh colony in JB Nagar in Andheri (east). “Ahluwalia was brilliant in his work and had the experience of around 15 years as a pilot. He had scored 95 per cent marks in his entrance examinations and had gained his training from the Juhu Flying Club,” said a friend who had come to his residence to console the family. Ahluwalia had a total 3,750 hours of flying experience.
According to another acquaintance, Ahluwalia worked with Jet Airways and had joined Air India around two years ago and ever since then, had shifted base to Mangalore. “He was a very good and helpful person and was very sharp during interactions,” he said.
Ahluwalia’s mother had fallen ill after hearing the news of the accident.
“A doctor had attended to her throughout Saturday. His brother has gone to Mangalore to claim his body while his other brother is preparing for his last rites here,” a relative said.
“It is hard to believe that the accident occurred due to a human error. It is also possible that there could be some technical problem in the aircraft. Ahluwalia had made 66 landings in Mangalore itself. He was not new to the terrain. Government officials should be responsible enough not to make such comments before conducting a complete enquiry on the reason of the crash,” he added.