Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Career switch turned fatal

Kaushik Mohan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision of Kaushik Mohan to resign his job in the hospitality industry against the wishes of his parents and become a pilot did not materialise as the 26-year-old was killed in a mid-air accident near the runway of Plaridel airfield in the Philippines on Saturday.

The tragic news from the Indian Embassy in the Philippines came when the family was eagerly waiting for Kaushik to return in May after completion of the seven-month commercial pilot licence course with Fliteline Aviation School.

Kaushik, along with his instructor, Mike Bernardo, was killed when the Cessna 150 aircraft carrying them crashed while approaching the runway around 10.30 a.m. local time.

Kaushik’s roommate, Chandan, who hails from Market Road, Attingal, near here, told The Hindu over telephone from Manila that the accident took place while carrying out “emergency procedures” as part of the flying lessons.

“While manoeuvring the aircraft, the angle got steep and the Cessna nosedived and crashed. The aircraft caught fire and exploded. The face of Kaushik was charred beyond recognition,” Chandan, who had logged in 60 hours of flying time, said. “I lost a true and intimate friend and I knew him from Bangalore,” an upset Chandan said.

Kaushik, the younger son of R.M.K. Nair, a businessman, and Shobhana of Edavakkode, Kariyam, quit his job in Taj Residency, Bangalore, to become a commercial pilot.

Kaushik had done his schooling in Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Nalanchira, Plus Two at SBOA, Chennai, and Bachelor of Hotel Management at Manipal Academy. His father and brother were flying enthusiasts but not pilots.

The $ 40,000 needed for the course was paid by Mr. Nair’s brother-in-law based in Qatar. “Since, we did not take any loan, there was no insurance cover on Kaushik. It was last Monday that he called last,” Mr. Nair said.

T.K.R. Nair, who had the opportunity to impart training to Mr. R.M.K. Nair at Trivandrum Flying Club when he was the Chief Flying Instructor, was heard telling, “You should have consulted me before sending Kaushik to the Philippines.” “I erred,” was the reply.

“I told him not to go. But he did not heed my words,” was all that the father had to say to friends and relatives who stepped in.

Kaushik’s elder brother, Karthik G. Mohan, employed with Deutsche Bank, London, is on his way home on learning about the tragedy. The autopsy was conducted on Saturday and the body had been shifted to a local church, Chandan said. The embassy and school authorities are trying to take home the body at the earliest.

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