Alert pilot of Saudi Arabian Airlines saves 261 lives

A day later on Saturday, the National Disaster Management Authority’s five-day programme to equip the employees with skills to handle disaster-like situations ironically concluded there.

The flight (Airbus 333), which had 261 passengers, was scheduled for departure at 9.30 pm. However, when pilot made the final round of checks-up, he noticed the crack, which, if unnoticed, could have developed bigger and broken letting air in leading into a major tragedy. Immediately, engineers were engagged to fix the panel but in vain. As the work went beyond schedule the flight was cancelled and passengers were accommodated in various hotels. “The problem will be fixed Saturday night and the plane will be ready to fly the same night,” added sources. The timely act of the pilot saved 261 lives.

Nearly 200 participants from AAI, CISF, local police, fire personnel, airport workers, employees took part.