Overall safety of the civil aviation sector will be the topic of discussion in the day-long safety review meeting on Wednesday called by a Parliamentary Standing Committee to examine safety standards across India’s civil aviation sector. The aviation secretary and industry representatives will participate in the safety review of the airline sector and the committee will examine overall safety aspects, not just the Air India crash or recent helicopter incidents in Uttarakhand, according to those familiar with the agenda.
All major stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will present their safety protocols during the Parliamentary committee headed by JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha. The Civil Aviation ministry will conclude proceedings with observations on safety concerns and sector preparedness.
On June 12, Air India Flight 171 crashed moments after take-off, claiming the lives of all but one of the 242 passengers on board and killing 19 others at the medical college compound it slammed into before bursting into flames.
On Tuesday the Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) submitted a preliminary report into the accident to the ministry. The contents of the report are not public but it is said to include crucial information, including analysis of flight data recorders, cockpit audio, aircraft maintenance records and crew qualifications.
According to sources the report provides factual information gathered during the initial investigation phase, including basic circumstances, technical details, weather conditions at the time of the crash and immediate observations from the accident site examination.
The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which met officials from the ministry and representatives from major airlines on Tuesday, also discussed issues concerning the aviation sector. Members are said to have raised concerns over the June-12 crash in Ahmedabad and the sudden surge in flight fares from Srinagar following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, violating standard fare regulations.
