Chartered Plane Crashes at Ghatkopar in Mumbai, Five Killed, Two Injured; DGCA Orders Probe

Five people including 2 pilots and a pedestrian were killed and two injured when a chartered plane crashed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Thursday. After it crashed, several portions of the plane burnt in the premises of an under-construction building. The fire was brought under control within half an hour by the fire brigade. There were two pilots and as many engineers on board.As per reports, eyewitnesses said that the plane was seen hurtling down in the narrow Jeevadaya Lane area and crashed with a deafening sound before breaking into pieces and bursting into flames around 1.15 p.m. Reports inform that the aircraft's crucial Flight Data Recorder or Black Box was recovered.

Expressing sadness over the deadly incident, Former civil aviation minister Praful Patel tweeted that the pilot saved many lives at the cost of her own, by swerving to avoid crashing in a busy area."Saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident at #ghatkopar as Charter plane crashes in an open area. Salute to the pilot who showed presence of mind to avoid a big mishap, saving many lives at the cost of her own life. #RIP to all the 5 Dead. My deepest condolences", he said in a tweet.

The chartered plane was a 12-seater. Reports inform that two charred bodies were pulled out from the accident site. According to details by fire officials, the department received a distress call at 01:16 pm. The fire brigade rushed three fire engines to the spot, which were able to extinguish blaze by 01:40 pm.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the plane had taken off from the Juhu airstrip on a test flight. Reports inform that the aircraft belonged to Mumbai-based company, U Y Aviation Pvt Ltd and is owned by gutkha baron Dipak Kothari.

A black box has been found at the accident site. Mumbai's Metropolitan Fire Brigade, 108 ambulance service and police services have been pressed into service. A team of National Disaster Relief Force has also been rushed to the spot.

Reports inform that the aircraft belonged to the Mumbai-based company, U Y Aviation Pvt Ltd which is owned by Pan Parag owner Dipak Kothari. When the deadly incident happened, the aircraft was less than three km from Mumbai airport main runway 27.

Reports say that the chartered plane was trying to make an emergency landing when it crashed in Ghatkopar.

Four out of the five people who died in the plane crash were on board the chartered flight. Here are their names:Maria Kuber - PilotPradeep Rajput - Co-Pilot Surabhi - TechnicianManish Pandey - TechnicianTwo people named Naresh Kumar Nishad and Luvkush Kumar have also been injured in the crash.

Four fire-fighting engines and rescue teams are at the spot in Ghatkopar where the chartered plane crashed today.  

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in its update informed that the Chartered Air Craft of UI Company crashed at Old Malik Estate, Near telephone exchange, Prithvi building, Jeev Daya Lane in Ghatkopar(W). The capacity of Aircraft is 12.