A committee of investigations will be formed under the ministry of civil aviation next month to independently investigate air accidents and serious incidents. Its formation will mean that the aviation regulator will come under the scanner during investigations for its policies or decisions that may have played a role in an air crash or incident.
“The committee will be headed by a director, and will have four officers and a pool of independent experts from the aviation industry, taking its strength to about 20 members,’’ said civil aviation secretary Dr Nasim Zaidi. Now, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials conduct investigations into most accidents and serious incidents.
“The same authority cannot be the prosecutor, investigator and judge,’’ said Zaidi, referring to the need to keep the process of accident/incident investigations off the aviation regulator’s purview. In case of accidents involving major loss of life, as in the case of the Mangalore crash, the country has seen the formation of an independent court of inquiry. “The committee will co-ordinate if a court of inquiry is needed,’’ said Zaidi. “The ministry’s approval for the committee’s formation is pending, but it will be formed in a few weeks,’’ he added. DGCA officials will continue to investigate incidents that are not serious.
» Read Complete News.....(You need to login first to read complete news). New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News