Ghatkopar pilot, ATC’s final chat was about bad weather

The preliminary investigation into the Ghatkopar plane crash has revealed that pilot in his last conversation with air traffic controller had raised concerns over bad weather. The investigators suspect there could have been some fault with the altimeter of the aircraft due to which the pilot may not have been able to gauge the height required for the aircraft.

Investigators revealed that when the aircraft reached the Mumbai airport’s approach area via Vashi Creek, the air traffic control (ATC) got in touch with him at approach frequency 121.5 MHz. He him to “keep right for Juhu aerodrome. It is at this point the pilot, told the ATC about the bad weather, sources in Airport Authority of India (AAI) said. Sources added that ATC called up again, but there was no response from the pilot. The ATC then tried reaching the aircraft through the SOS frequency of 121.5 MHz but got no response.