Indian Airlines Flight IC 440. Crash Survivor recollections.
I was a passenger on the evening IA flight 440 from Madras to Delhi on 31st May 1973.The aircraft Boing 737 VT-EAM `Saranga` Crashed shortly before landing at Delhi Airport at 10.10 PM that night. Out of 65 persons on board only 17 survived the crash. The Pilot Capt G.P.Barghavan Nair and the Co pilot Capt B.N.Reddy survived the crash with minor injuries. Those who perished were all burned, many beyond recognition, in the fire that broke out after the crash. I was one of the two who survived in spite of major burn injuries. My upper body was badly burned (55%).
I was working with Ms Shaw Wallace & Co Ltd. at Madras and was on my way to London to be trained as an MBO advisor to introduce this new Management by Objectives system in the Agriculture Division in the Company. I was to be trained by the famous Management Guru Mr. John Humble in commercial organizations practicing this system in England. He was the author of many books and had formalized MBO as an ongoing management system. Late Fr.Joe Britto our company`s management Consultant from Delhi was to accompany me from Delhi on 1st June 1973. On the day of travel I was tired with last minute packing and arrangements. At the Madras airport I talked to Mr. Sterling of Amoco International, who was returning with his family after his assignment as the Factory Manager of the Madras Fertilisers. I knew him well, as we were marketing their Fertilisers in S.India. He had his wife, young son, teenaged daughter and her friend with him. Mr. Sterling and his son survived the crash with minor burn injuries but his wife, daughter and her friend perished. I remember boarding the flight, finding it uncrowded, choose the left window seat in 3rd row from the front. I have very little recollection of the flight after this stage. I think I was tired and went off to sleep. I do not recollect having the usual dinner on flight. I only have a vague recollection when landing at Delhi was announced. I looked through the window and could not see the beautiful sight of Delhi lights before landing. I think I went off to sleep again. I was told latter that many victims of accidents can not remember much of the incidence due to Amnesia, which is our brains defense mechanism from saving us from Frightening experience. When I became somewhat conscious some time after the crash it was all quite and dark. I found myself seated on my seat and tried to stand up but could not move my hands to unfasten the belt. I had no sense of pain and knew we were not far from Delhi airport. I expected some one to come and rescue me soon. Next thing I know was some people with flash lights were walking around. Two of them came near me and said in Hindi that this guy is alive. I told them remove my seat belt and when they did that I was able to get up and walk with them to a jeep parked nearby. I was in the front seat and they put one more survivor at the back. They seemed to be ordinary farmers. They were talking that All India Institute of Medical Sciences is closer and took us there. I must have lost consciousness as I could only recollect nurse trying to remove my ring in the emergency room. I asked the doctors there why the ring is being removed. They said that my hands are burned and the ring will be safely returned to me. I heard them say that the patient is conscious, with no symptoms of shock and to give me one more injection. Next morning I woke up with hallucinations of my going up and up with bright lights around and suddenly being dropped back on the bed. This happened a few times .I was told later that this is a near-death experience of many. I realised my legs, hands and upper body was all heavily bandaged. My left eye was covered with a bandage. I still did not have any pain and had no idea about the extent of my injuries. Shortly afterwards when I opened my eyes I saw Prime Minister Mrs.Indira Gandhi standing next to me along with many others. I instinctly tried to get up and she said not to. After a short while Mr.V.V.Giri, President of India was near my bed with many people. Soon after this Fr.Joe Britto arrived and briefed more about the accident and the extent of my injuries. I had 55 % burns a lot of which were deep and was in critical list. He informed that my wife and son is being brought by a Company Director and would arrive by that evening. Dr.Easow John, then a Delhi Director of Amoco International was to meet Mr. Sterling and family at the Airport the previous evening. He learned that I was a survivor and is at the AIIMS. He visited me latter that morning in spite of his involvement with Mr.Sterling`s tragedy. He informed me that my sister from Singapore is arriving next morning and that he will take care of her.(His wife was her school mate and was also in college together with my eldest sister at WCC in Madras). Back in Madras my wife Jessie was not aware of anything in the morning, when her father telephoned her. He had seen the news and my name in the survivor list. He called our neighbor and told them to go over to Jessie and that he would reach Madras by noon. A close Anglo Indian colleague (in his night dress) and his wife (also working with us) came home and briefed her. Soon some senior officers and colleagues arrived. All they new was that I was a survivor in AIIMS. No one had any idea how badly I was injured. Jessie arrived by evening with my 1 year old son, accompanied by Mr.T.C.Narayan, one of our Directors. He informed me that he is authorized to take me anywhere for the best treatment possible at the cost of the company. I told him that my preference is for Madras where my wife will be more at home. Company Guest House, a car and driver were made available to my wife. My wife was uncomfortable as it was peak summer and my son was all confused and jittery. Arrival of my sisters helped her much. Doctors did not agree to move me at this stage. They bandaged me completely to protect me from infection as they could not prevent many VIP visitors. These bandages had to be removed and wounds dressed once in two days, which was a very painful affair. I used to faint before they finish due to the intense pain and wake only after a few hours. I had no appetite but was hydrated by a drip through a stent on my left angle as it was the only place without burns. I was not worried about my injuries and was supremely confident that I will survive. There was doubt about full use of my right hand but I was not concerned.
I was pretty close to the fire after the crash. I have no recollection of any fire or noise. Back side of my palms, fore arms, both shoulders, right side of the neck, right arm pit, upper arms and both my ears had deeper burns but the face and hair had only light burns. I had probably covered my face and head with my arms and bent forward into my lap instinctively in auto defensive action. Back side of my arms, shoulders, right armpit, right side of the neck and both ears had deeper burns. Upper body had only some burns. The legs were burnt below the knees and above the ankles as my pant and socks provided some protection from the waist. There was a small laceration near my left eye and two fingers on my right hand were fractured. There was no other injury due to the impact. I was fortunate to land with the seat right side up and with seat belt on (I do not remove my seat belt on flights). I was also fortunate that I was one of two survivors who were taken to AIIMS and immediately received medical care. All the others who were taken to Safdarjung Hospital, did not get immediate medical aid.
It was also fortunate that the aircraft on crashing stopped short of the deep stone quarry. The first set of people who reached the site removed the valuables from victims and I lost my valet and the watch. My left wrist was not burned where the watch was, proof that it was there after the crash. The lady M.P. Mrs.Jayalaxmi from Rajapalayam who survived with light injuries was robed of her gold chain and ornaments and was in great shock. I talked to a German lady at Madras hospital who told me that it is common even in advanced western countries, the victims of accidents are often robed of valuables.
In four days Doctors advised me that I am out of danger, if no infection takes place. They kept me in bandages to keep infection away. As I made improvement I enjoyed Kerala Food being brought to me By Mrs.Easow John. I did not have much appetite and could not relish the bland food from the hospital. I refused to use the bed pan and had to be walked to the toilet with two people on either side. There was no place without burns to hold me. Burns were dressed every other day which caused severe pain. Doctors were happy about the quick progress I was making in 10 days. With the June heat of 105 F and a nervous 1 year old son, my wife had tough time in Delhi, in spite of all assistance from the Company and friends. A request was made to transfer me to Madras. The doctors agreed to move me after 15 days subject to some conditions- Dr Sundera Rajan then well-known plastic surgeon should agree to take care of me and that The Indian Airlines will provide me a middle row with 3 rows in front and rear empty, to avoid infection. I should be moved to the airport in an Ac vehicle. On these conditions I was moved to Madras on the 16 of June. Since Indian Airlines could not get an Ac vehicle, Dr.John moved me to the airport in his Mercedes. I was all bandaged and walked like a space man to the Aircraft without help. Airlines kept the middle rows free of passengers. At Madras airport also I walked slowly on my own, down the Aircraft. I had no fear of flight.
At Madras airport there was a large crowd of my colleagues including some Directors and my friends waiting for my arrival. I could not stop my tears on seeing so many of them waiting for me. Dr.B.Krisna Rao the Medical Officer of Wellington Nursing Home, the premier Hospital at that time in Madras was himself at the Airport. He did not allow any one to come near me or talk to me. He whisked me away straight to the Nursing Home in an Ambulance. All my bandages were removed and no one from outside including my wife was allowed to enter my room. This was to avoid infection and burns heal better if left open. I was near naked inside a net. Doctors and Nurses entered only wearing masks and for very short periods. In 10 days time Dr.Sundera Rajan decided to do extensive Skin Grafting on the deeper burns. The skin was taken from my thighs as they were not burned. I was again in much pain as they burned dead skin using copper Sulphate crystals after a week. The skin grafts were successful and I was discharged from Hospital in 2 months. I was granted another 15 days rest before I joined duty at Madras. My hands and areas with light burns had no pigmentation and hair. I was not bothered and was exuberant that I was alive and reasonably fit. Doctors asked if I would like to mend my broken fingers and I said I can manage with them as it is. The only other survivor who was in AIIMS with me had spinal injury and it took him 3 years to recover and go back to work.
Mr.Madhavan Kutty, the resident Editor of Mathurbhumi, had no major injuries and came and met me at AIIMS. He wrote a book about the Air Crash “Apakadangal ente sahayathrikan” in Malayalam. Others known to me who perished in the accident are Dr.Chacko, a leprosy physician, and Dr.Sundera Rajan, MD of Aruna Sugars, who were our clients. Dr.Chacko`s wife a pediatrician who treated my children, visited me in hospital at Madras. She wanted to know if victims suffered and I told her that none would have known anything as it all happened in a few seconds.
The news papers covered extensively the commission of enquiry proceedings. Mr.Mohan Kumaramangalam then minister at Centre was a victim. He was known to be bold to question the Prime Minister Mrs.Indira Gandhi. I had time to go through the enquiry reports. The commission concluded that the accident was caused by Pilot Error and both the Pilot and Co Pilot were dismissed from service and their Licenses cancelled. The pilot Capt Bagi Nair had only a knee injury and gave up flying. The younger Co pilot Capt Reddy was unconscious initially but had no major injuries. He went to S Africa and got a fresh flying license and worked there for many years.
Out of the hospital, I found that my fractured fingers on the right hand could not be folded fully for a good grip and my right hand could not be raised above shoulder level. The right arm pit had a contracture due to infection. I decided to
work on this by hitting a tennis ball on the terrace walls, both morning and evening for an hour each. This improved the condition and I was able to play Tennis after a month though I could not raise my hand fully to serve or smash overhead shots. I joined duty 75 days after the accident and it was a joyous occasion for my friends, my family, me and colleagues in the office. Gods Amazing Grace gave me supreme confidence and positive attitude, which helped me recover fast and regain almost reasonable health within a short time. A few years latter my right arm pit was operated to release the contracture but did nothing to my fractured fingers. I also had a pace maker fixed to regulate my heart beat in1992. All this did not restrict me in any physical activities. I have won many UPASI tennis and Table Tennis cups and won about 15 All Kerala Veterans Tennis Tournaments, both singles and doubles in my age group. I have not taken part in Tournaments after 2012. From 2016 I stopped playing Tennis for various reasons. I still hope to resume playing Tennis.
I want to add one later funny incident about this Air Crash. I was invited by the Rotary Club of Mylapore to talk to them on this Air Crash. My talk highlighted the enquiry commissions report in some detail and the conclusion of the Pilot Error verdict. After my talk the hosts informed me that they will introduce another person connected with this crash. It was to my surprise the Co Pilot Cap. Reddy, who was now a member of their Club. I was really shocked but talked to him as he took everything I had said in good spirit.
Purpose of our life. My survival made me to realise how helpless we are on our own and that an All Mighty God whose power is much beyond our imagination is in control of every thing. He placed us in a time and place over which we had no choice. He provides us everything we have, blessings, sufferings, joy and sorrow. He gives us some choices to live in the time and space he puts us in. We are to use it wisely and live as His Ambassadors on earth. We have to show our gratitude to Him for His blessings by the way we live, by showing our compassion and love to all His creations on Earth. Praying to God or praising Him, gives us some mental satisfaction, but what God wants us from is action. All wealth, health and all other blessings we have are His gifts and we are keeping them in trust for Him. We have to leave everything behind when it is time to go. It could be sooner or later. No one can be sure if our successors will enjoy them. We have time when we are healthy to express our gratitude to God by our actions. Kindness, compassion and love without prejudice or judgment to all who come in contact with us in our day to day life, is expected of us. We should not judge others. All are created by God under different circumstances with different abilities, character and attitudes. They deserve our unconditional compassion, love and unselfish help. We can do this only when we detach ourselves from our selfish greed. This is the very purpose of our life. God can work with through us by his protection and blessings, if we are willing to help others in need. This will also help us achieve peace and happiness right here now on Earth during our life.
