KOZHIKODE: According to primary assumptions, bad visibility due to harsh weather is cited as the reason for the flight crash at Karipur airport on Friday. The plane touched down on the runway in its second attempt, it is reported. Also, the landing was made 25 metres into the runway. As per an unofficial explanation from the Air India Express authority, the front tyres of the flights reportedly locked, which also made it impossible to control the plane.

Deepak Sathe, the pilot who died in the crash, had an experience of 30 years. He served the Indian Air Force for 12 years after which he took voluntary retirement. He then started working for Air India. Sathe was an experimental test pilot of the IAF before joining AIr India.

Sathe completed the course at the National Defence Academy in Maharashtra in 1980. He was honoured with the 'Sword of Honour' by the academy.

Prior to becoming a pilot for Air India's Boeing 737, he was a pilot for Air India's Airbus 310. Sathe was residing in Mumbai with his wife and two sons.