AAIB Report Reveals Flight Monitoring Gaps in Kanpur Crash
The AAIB's preliminary investigation into the Kanpur aircraft crash highlights significant lapses in flight monitoring procedures.
The Tecnam aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in two fatalities.
Garg Aviation failed to maintain records of flight data checks, raising safety concerns.
The investigation involves international agencies, including Italy's ANSV and the US NTSB.
A tragic incident occurred on August 27 when a Tecnam P2006T aircraft crashed near Natthapurwa village, close to the Ganga Barrage in Kanpur, resulting in the deaths of a flight instructor and a trainee pilot. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has since launched an inquiry into the crash, revealing that Garg Aviation did not adhere to essential flight-monitoring protocols prior to the accident.
The preliminary report from the AAIB indicates that the aircraft took off from Kanpur's civil aerodrome at approximately 11:11 AM. Just 14 minutes later, the crew communicated that operations were normal, but no further contact was made. The aircraft, registered as VT-NBV, failed to respond to subsequent radio calls, leading to concerns about its operational status. Local residents alerted authorities after witnessing the crash, prompting a response from police and emergency services.
Investigators discovered that Garg Aviation claimed to conduct random checks of flight data from the aircraft's Garmin system; however, they could not provide documentation to support these assertions. The AAIB emphasized the absence of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) detailing how flight data monitoring should be executed or what thresholds would necessitate further action. This lack of oversight is alarming, especially given the critical nature of flight safety.
In light of these findings, the AAIB has recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) establish clearer guidelines for Flying Training Organisations regarding flight data monitoring. The report also highlighted the need for stricter compliance with existing regulations, emphasizing that interim safety recommendations are necessary to prevent future incidents.
As the investigation progresses, both engines from the aircraft have been recovered and are undergoing detailed examination. The AAIB is collaborating with international agencies, including Italy's ANSV and the US National Transportation Safety Board, to ensure a thorough investigation. The crash has raised significant concerns about safety protocols at uncontrolled aerodromes like Kanpur's, which lack an operating control tower, underscoring the need for enhanced regulatory measures in the aviation sector.
