Daily Times

Sir: The tragic crash of Bhoja Air flight B4-213 from Karachi to Islamabad took place on April 20, 2012. It was the second major accident after Airblue flight ED-202 within a span of two years, which occurred on July 28, 2010 and in the same city. As the media in our country is so vibrant and dynamic, it immediately came into action and started live telecast of the rescue operations. As is the case in many instances, media persons immediately began airing interviews of some of the eyewitnesses of the crash and some of so-called aviation experts. In the heat of competition amongst the electronic media, different TV channels caught hold of anyone who was remotely associated with the business of aviation and aired their interviews without confirming their expertise in the field of commercial aviation. At that time, the facts were not available to the ‘experts’, yet they opined about the airline itself, the ill-fated aircraft type and its history, weather, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan and most sadly, about the competence of the aircrew, specially the captain. Ironically, most of them were wrong in their opinions. It is unfortunate that this accident occurred during the initial days of revival of Bhoja Air, otherwise it would have soon transformed into a very successful private airline. As it overcomes the jolt it has received in its infancy, it is expected that the airline will soon be back on the roadmap to success it had drawn for itself. All negative propaganda unleashed on the media, whether willingly or innocently in the heat of competition, will prove to be unfounded. The most probable cause of the crash is weather. I am sure the truth will bring some solace to the bereaved families that it was not due to some omission or commission by anyone in the chain responsible for safe operations of commercial flights, but an act of nature beyond the control of us mortal humans. I pray for all the departed souls and pray to Almighty Allah to give them a place in heaven. Amen.

ALI ABBAS SHAH

Hunza