Incidents on loop, but it’s escape for regulator, airlines

Sub: Polity

Sec: National Bodies

Context:

Recently, an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft experienced a serious issue at Goa’s Mopa Airport. The aircraft, bound for Hyderabad, had to reject take-off after it mistakenly entered a parallel taxiway instead of the main runway.

Lack of accountability:

This incident adds to a long history of runway confusion incidents involving Indian airlines, highlighting persistent safety concerns in Indian aviation.
The DGCA is the key body responsible for overseeing aviation safety in India. Despite repeated incidents of runway confusion, the DGCA often places the blame on pilot error without addressing the broader issues of airport infrastructure and airline safety management.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the national aviation regulatory authority of India and operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, primarily dealing with safety issues.
It became a statutory body under the Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020.
It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards.
The DGCA is tasked with implementing and enforcing aviation regulations, standards, and procedures in line with ICAO standards and best practices.
It also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organisation.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):

ICAO is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency, established in 1944.
The Convention on International Civil Aviation was signed in 1944 in Chicago. It established the core principles permitting international transport by air, and led to the creation of the ICAO.
ICAO’s mission is to ensure the safe and orderly development of the international aviation industry. The organisation works with its member states to develop and implement policies and regulations related to air navigation and air transport. India is among its 193 members.
It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Annex 13 of ICAO:

ICAO Annex 13, titled “Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation”, is a key international standard that provides guidelines for the investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents.
Annex 13 makes it mandatory for a member-state to investigate accidents and serious incidents and identify the cause and take corrective steps to prevent a recurrence.
Annex 13 applies to the investigation of all accidents and serious incidents involving civil aircraft, regardless of their location. This includes aircraft accidents occurring on land, sea, or in international waters.

Accident and Incident:

The annex defines the terms “accident” and “incident” based on the severity of the event.
An accident typically results in serious injury or death or substantial damage to the aircraft.
An incident is a less severe event that may not result in significant damage or injury but could still indicate safety risks.