AIRFORCE PILOTS PLANNING TO GO ON DEPUTATION MUST READ THIS

HYDERABAD: He took off despite bad weather, veered 18 km off the flight path and made no effort to steer the chopper back to safety, notwithstanding heavy rain and poor visibility. What was on Group Captain Sunil Kumar Bhatia’s mind when he was flying the illfated Bell-430 helicopter that eventually crashed killing all five onboard including Rajasekhara Reddy? Though some of his colleagues say that Bhatia, with 25 years of flying experience, is not the one to make such mistakes, happenings within the AP Aviation Corporation (APAC) indicate that Bhatia was in a disturbed state of mind. He was allegedly humiliated by some officials after he tried to expose ‘‘certain corrupt activities’’ in the APAC.The Crime Investigation Department (CID), which has taken up the probe into the crash, will be investigating this very aspect, which now appears to be the key element in the incident. VSK Kaumudi, IG-CID, will head the probe. Top sources disclosed to Express that Bhatia had personally handed over two representations to a senior IAS officer on the alleged corruption in the APAC.In his representations, a copy of which is also said to have been sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bhatia stated that unqualified and incompetent pilots were being inducted into the APAC, particularly those performing VIP duties. He was also said to have alleged that money was paid to officials for renewing contracts and that kickbacks were involved in purchase of spare parts and maintenance of choppers. As per norms, the State Government awards contracts to some private firms that provide pilots.However, it is not clear whether 47-year-old Bhatia mentioned names in his representations.Having submitted his representations, Bhatia was expecting an enquiry from the Government side but the matter reached senior officials of the APAC and he was issued two memos.He was asked to explain why he made a direct representation to the Government and in what authority. To one memo, Bhatia replied. Thereafter, Bhatia was allegedly harassed on one pretext or the other. ‘‘Surpassing Bhatia, some junior pilots were given his responsibilities just to humiliate him. He was disturbed and tense and at one time, he said he wanted to return to the Indian Air Force, h i s parent organisat i o n , ’ ’ sources said.On an earlier occasion, Bhatia, a 1984 batch officer of the IAF and on deputation to the APAC for the last three years, voiced his resentment before some officials over the alleged kickbacks received in the purchase of the Augusta Westland chopper. Subsequently, his name was cancelled from the list of pilots and co-pilots who were to train in Italy to fly the Augusta Westland.Augusta Westland was purchased for Rs 58 crore and YSR was to fly on it on Wednesday.But as it was under repair, the Chief Minister was forced to use the Bell-430.