Mangalore: "Allah ho Akbar Rullah ho Akbar" is the prayer Abdullah Puttur Ismail (37) uttered 33 times after he found realised that he had survived a tragedy that will never be forgotten in India's aviation history. Ismail, a passenger on board IX-812 that crashed while landing at the Bajpe Airport in Mangalore on Saturday morning, expected a few close relatives over for lunch at his home in nearby Puttur.
Thirty seven year-old Abdullah Puttur Ismail is recovering at a hospital on the outskirts of Mangalore.
His survivor's tale, however, got over 100 people from his hometown to visit him at the KR Hegde Hospital, where he will remain under observation till Monday.
"Though not my favourite seat, I had to be content with seat number 19A, a window seat. It was right on the wing," says Ismail, who's been flying between Dubai and Mangalore for the last six years. Twelve hours gone, a couple of grazes on his face and right hand, Ismail says it was the best seat. "The pilot's last communiqu © was that all was well at Bajpe airport," said Ismail, who manages a sports goods store Sportsline.
"As the plane landed in Mangalore, there was a loud explosion and almost instantly, it fell to the right. Seat 19A was to the left of the aircraft (facing forward). As passengers screamed in shock, the aircraft spilt into two, right between seats 18 and 19." Ismail was sucked out of the aircraft due to the pressure in the cabin being ruptured.
"My next realisation was that I was flung nine feet down into vegetation," says Ismail, who went rolling down a steep valley. As he managed to get to his feet, the aircraft fuselage exploded and burst into flames.
Still hazy and having inhaled smoke, Ismail walked down the hill to cross a railway track and met some railway workers who promptly escorted him to the main road. Puttur educated Ismail was also lucky to have retained his mobile phone in his pocket. "At the first instance, I contacted my younger brother who was waiting at the airport to receive me."
Having lost all his baggage including his passport, some certificates, his driving license and loads of presents he had brought for his 1 year old daughter Shaima, Ismail is confident of making it back to Dubai despite the tragedy. "I have faith in the almighty. It definitely gives me strength and confidence," he said.
Wife Sajida is however unsure. "We shall see, when the time comes. Maybe I will go with him," she said.