Low-flying aircraft damages another house near Kochi airport; CIAL explores compensation, DGCA seeks report

A tiled house near Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) was reportedly damaged after a low-flying aircraft passed over the area, marking the third such incident in the past year, according to a TOI report by MK Sunil Kumar.

The latest incident occurred on Sunday morning at the residence of K A Simon of Kattiparambil House in Nedumbassery, where roof tiles reportedly fell following the passage of a low-flying aircraft.

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In the wake of repeated incidents of houses being damaged near the airport, CIAL is exploring the possibility of compensating affected homeowners through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, according to the TOI report.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to seek a report on the latest incident. A senior official with the DGCA's air safety wing in Delhi told TOI that the regulator had not yet received information regarding the matter and would ask its Kochi officials to submit a report immediately.

CIAL officials who conducted a preliminary assessment said it was prima facie evident that the damage to Simon's house was caused by a low-flying aircraft. They added that the aircraft involved could have belonged to a foreign airline.

"We will conduct an inquiry into incidents of aircraft flying low causing damages to houses. Though we don't have any direct obligation, we will consider ways to compensate the owners on humanitarian grounds," CIAL sources told TOI.

According to the report, airport officials said that seeking compensation directly from an airline company can be a lengthy process involving multiple authorities. They noted that the involvement of the Union government may be required and, in cases involving foreign carriers, government-to-government interaction could also become necessary.

"It involves a labyrinth of formalities. That's why we are exploring if CIAL can provide compensation. We will have to design a policy if the proposal is approved," the sources told TOI.

Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath called for immediate compensation for the affected homeowner and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"The authorities should take immediate steps to provide compensation to the house owner. There should be measures to avoid such incidents in the future as well," Sadath told TOI.

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Following the incident, Simon, 80, and his wife Sosamma, 70, moved to Simon's brother's house nearby. The family said cracks had also appeared on the walls of the damaged house.

"We will have to rent a house until a solution has evolved. Cracks have appeared on the walls of the house as well," Sosamma told TOI.

The couple has lodged complaints with CIAL authorities and the Nedumbassery police, the report added.

(With inputs from TOI )