India, Aug. 27 -- Being a pilot, any news of an air accident causes deep anguish. Watching the visuals of the Air India crash at Ahmedabad on June 12, my heart went out to those who lost their near and dear ones.

Many years ago, I witnessed a similar accident while serving in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. Our contingent had recently been inducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the brigade headquarters was located right next to the airfield at Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. I can't forget that date: April 15, 2008. I had just entered my hut after lunch, when we heard a loud bang. Hearing such sounds in the war-torn country was routine, but this bang was frighteningly different.

I rushed out and saw a thick bl...