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India's Aviation Watchdog Calls for ATC Video Recording at International Airports

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has recommended mandatory video and audio recording systems inside air traffic control towers at all international airports. This proposal follows an investigation into a runway incident at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport involving an Ariana Afghan Airlines aircraft. The recorded data would be crucial for reconstructing events and understanding controller decision-making during abnormal situations. The AAIB emphasizes this move will significantly strengthen safety oversight and post-event scrutiny for investigators.

Key Points: ATC Video Recording Recommended for Airport Safety in India

  • Post-incident analysis of ATC actions
  • Enhanced safety oversight at airports
  • Reconstruction of events during high-risk situations
  • Technology-driven regulatory tools
2 min read

Aviation accident watchdog recommends ATC video recording at international airports

India's AAIB recommends mandatory video recording in ATC towers at international airports to enhance safety oversight and accident investigation.

"Safety recommendation is made to analyse the controller's actions post any incident or accident - AAIB"

New Delhi, Jan 10

In a bid to allow investigators to analyse the actions of air traffic controllers after an incident or accident, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has recommended the mandatory installation of video recording devices inside ATC towers at all international airports in the country.

The move comes following AAIB's investigation into a runway incident at Delhi airport in November last year, when an aircraft operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines landed on an unassigned runway at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital.

According to reports, the aviation accident regulator, which comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, said this move will significantly strengthen safety oversight and post-event scrutiny.

ATC towers at international airports should be equipped with systems capable of recording video as well as background communications within control rooms, it added.

According to AAIB, this data would be crucial in reconstructing events and understanding controller decision-making during abnormal or high-risk situations.

Such recordings should be made available for investigative use by both the AAIB and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

AAIB said in the report that "Safety recommendation is made to analyse the controller's actions post any incident or accident," emphasising the need for priority implementation at international airports in the country.

The AAIB said it has already recorded initial statements from the flight crew and air traffic controllers involved in the November incident.

In addition, approach radar recordings have been secured for further technical analysis, along with ATC communication transcripts.

The probe into the runway deviation incident is ongoing.

While the preliminary report stops short of assigning responsibility, the recommendation underlines growing regulatory focus on using technology-driven oversight tools to improve aviation safety and accountability.

Moreover, the probe has also widened its scope to include crew statements relating to other arriving and departing flights operating around the time of the incident.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand the safety angle, I hope this doesn't create a culture of fear and micromanagement for our ATCs. They work under immense pressure. The focus should be on learning and improving systems, not just finding someone to blame.
A
Aditya G
Good move, but implementation is key. We have great rules on paper, but execution is often poor. Who will maintain these systems? Will the data be secure? We need a clear protocol before rolling this out nationwide.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent flyer, this makes me feel much safer. Transparency in investigations is crucial. If this helps prevent even one accident, it's worth every rupee spent. Hope they implement it quickly at all major airports.
K
Karthik V
Finally! We talk about becoming a global aviation hub, but our safety oversight needs to match global standards. This is a basic requirement in many countries. Better late than never. Next, they should look at pilot training standards too.
M
Meera T
The article mentions the Ariana Afghan flight incident. We are lucky it wasn't more serious. Such deviations are a wake-up call. Video recording is a good tool, but we also need to invest in better runway lighting and signage. It's a combination of factors.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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