Images Show How Horrifying The Kerala Plane Crash Really Was

The Kozhikode airport in Kerala has a table-top runway and is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Generally, table-top runways are constructed on a hilly or an elevated terrain.

According to aviation experts, a combination of factors such as slippery runway, strong tailwind, bad weather conditions, and landing ahead of the threshold could have contributed to the fatal accident.

The spokesperson also said that it was raining over the airfield and reported visibility at the time of landing was 2,000 metres.

Citing information from the Air Traffic Controller (ATC), the spokesperson said the aircraft touched down near taxiway 'C', which is approximately 1,000 metres from the beginning of runway 10. The total length of the runway is 2,700 metres.

The Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 onboard fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into two.

At least 18 people including both the pilots were killed.

The news of the crash came even as Kerala was coming to terms with the landslide in Munnar, Idukki where some 80 people were swept away in the heavy rains.

Rescue operations were completed around midnight and airport operations resumed at 3 am on Saturday.

Within minutes of the crash, dozens of locals rushed to the spot and initially helped the fire force team evacuate those who were on the ill-fated flight.

The condition of 16 passengers, admitted to various hospitals, is serious, Malappuram Collector K Gopalakrishnan said.