No problem with aircraft: BSF

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday said there was no problem with the aircraft which crashed yesterday morning in the national capital.

"There was no problem with the aircraft, it was completely air-worthy. Even until two days back the aircraft returned after a good duty," BSF Director General D.K. Pathak told the media here.

"This plane is 20 years old and in aviation the life exists for 40-45 years. Any aircraft is not considered old and its required parts are changed time to time. Its engine had been sent to Canada few months ago for a complete overhaul," he added.

Expressing grief over the incident, Pathak said it was a big loss to them in many ways.

"We lost the pilots and other crews and in one go we have lost so many technicians, which is a very big setback to us. We are with them in this moment of crisis," he said.

He asserted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and BSF's internal enquiry team is probing the matter.

"The government will pay Rs. 10 lakhs. With our internal insurance scheme, we will pay Rs. 20 lakhs. In addition from our different welfare schemes, we will pay another Rs. 70,000-80, 000," he added.

All the ten passengers onboard were killed after a Ranchi-bound BSF Superking aircraft crashed at Bagdola village in Sector 8, Dwarka here on Tuesday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday expressed grief and distress at the loss of lives.

"Pained by the loss of lives in the BSF plane crash in Delhi. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to BSF plane crash victims at the Safdarjung Airport.