Jeep lights guide as Rajnath's plane takes off

In a glaring violation of air safety norms, a small aircraft carrying BJP president Rajnath Singh took off from an unlit airstrip in Dumka in Jharkand in pitch darkness last night guided by only headlights of jeeps.

Taking note of the incident, Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel ordered a probe by the Directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and appealed to VIPs not to pressurise pilots to operate flights. Singh was accompanied by some senior party leaders in the chartered eight-seater airplane.

The runway in Dumka airstrip, which does not have air traffic control facility, was lit up for take-off by several vehicles lined up alongside with their headlights on, according to officials and BJP leaders.

The take-off after sunset described as 'risky' by state Civil Aviation secretary PK Jajoria came a few weeks after the crash of a helicopter in Andhra Pradesh claiming the lives of chief minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy and five others.

In New Delhi, Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel told reporters, "It is too premature to say who is responsible till the inquiry is over. But I would appeal to VIPs not to pressurise pilots."

BJP leaders in the national capital denied Singh's airplane violated safety norms saying it was entirely the pilot’s decision and their party president was not in a haste to leave.

Aviation experts said the pilot should have refused to take off since Dumka airstrip is not cleared for night flying to avoid any violation of air safety norms.