'Language barrier may have led to Mangalore air crash'

Janata Dal (United) president and former Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav said the barrier of language might have led to the Managalore air crash in which 158 persons onboard were killed.

"Language problem is found to be the biggest problem in conversations the pilots have with the Air Traffic Control. It might have led to the crash in Mangalore," Yadav said on Saturday, while offering his condolences to those who lost their lives in the crash.

Yadav, however, said the inquiry by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation would unravel the cause leading to the tragedy. 

He voiced his opposition to appointments of foreign pilots in the civil aviation sector.

"It is unfortunate that though there is no dearth of domestic hands to operate aircrafts, foreign pilots are being preferred," Yadav added.