Dead student pilot’s parents blame Melbourne club

Bangalore: Three days after 24-year-old Bangalore-based trainee pilot Akash Anantha died in a mid-air crash in Melbourne, Australia, his parents blamed the Royal Victoria Aero Club for the accident.
Speaking to DNA, Akash’s father Anantha Padmanabha said it was solely the mistake of the air traffic control room of the Melbourne club, which did not seem to have given the right instructions to Akash. “We believe it was not Akash’s mistake, he was so confident of flying solo. It is surprising that another aircraft collided with Akash’s. We have consulted many experts and their opinion is that it was the fault of the club,” he said.
Anantha, however, denied suing the club. “We are awaiting a proper report about the incident. We do not have any communication with the Australian government. We are getting all the news from Dilip, Akash’s cousin working in Melbourne.”
While Dilip is still to see Akash’s body, the parents sent his DNA reports on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the courier is still in Mumbai. “Dilip has informed us the body will reach Bangalore only after three weeks,” Anantha said.
30/08/08 Soumya Menon and Sudipa Chakraborty/Daily News & Analysis