Who okayed 9 models to shoot a 'cool video' on runway as a plane takes flight?
If there is one thing that is a constant in our country, it is that in some part of India, someone is doing something completely crazy, dangerous and stupid. Just like this group of nine models who stood on an airstrip just as a nine-seater turboprop took off right behind them. In fact, the models had to duck for cover when the plane went airborne — right over their heads.
The models in the video can be seen standing on the airstrip of an aerodrome that Times of India speculates is in Rajasthan (as the video shows one of the models posing in front of Jaipur's Hawa Mahal in a separate shot), when a turboprop (VT-SAI) takes off from right behind them. When the aircraft — a Cessna Grand Caravan C208 B — gets airborne, some of the models can be seen ducking, possibly due to the roar of the single-engine plane.
Obviously, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is not happy.
Models stood on airstrip as pvt plane took off from right behind them,DGCA Sources say probe has begun for aviation security rules violation pic.twitter.com/CjP5WHPkjd
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 14, 2017
A senior officer at the DGCA has called this a violation of all safety rules and said on July 13, that the matter is being probed into. The DGCA has a copy of the footage. Details of the exact location and time of the incident is yet to be revealed as the DGCA is conducting the investigation.
According to the DGCA website, the VT-SAI belongs to a Mumbai-based company.
Why is the DGCA irked?
For starters, this is a safety issue. According to a senior pilot who spoke to TOI, "There is always a chance that the pilot decides to abort take-off at the last minute for some reason and then these people would not have had a chance to get off the runway."
DGCA Sources told ANI: Inquiry has begun against the private plane and the group of models. Information of location not divulged yet.
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 14, 2017
“We landed at a private airstrip where there was a private plane that was waiting for us,” says one of the models in the video.
”I think this tops the list of craziest things I have ever done,” adds another.
This entire act was being professionally shot for the models. Trust Indians to not care about something as delicate as flight safety for something as ridiculous as a “cool video”.