Issue of compensation to M’lore crash victims not yet decided

PTI

New Delhi, 21 May 2011: A year after the Mangalore aircrash, the issue of proper compensation to the kin of the victims is still to be decided, though Air India management has paid certain amounts as an ad hoc measure.

 

158 people had lost their lives, but eight others escaped with injuries, when Air India Express flight IX 812 overshot the Bajpe airport runway and crashed into a deep gorge.

 

The Kerala High Court will soon take up for hearing a case for compensation, filed by the Mangalore crash victims’ family association for Abdul Salam who lost his son in the accident. A decision on this case may open an avenue for other crash victims or their kins also to get compensation as per the Montreal Convention.

 

The fatal crash had shaken up the aviation industry which was forced to undertake a relook at the safety oversight system of Directorate General of Civil Aviation, covering aerodromes, air navigation, airlines, flight operations, training of pilots and all other related areas.

 

Apart from this, steps were taken to inspect of all critical airports and adherence to approved maintenance programmes by airlines so that they follow the laid down rules and regulations, an official release said.

 

Intensive spot checks on the tarmac, checks on maintenance hangars or stores and night inspections were undertaken during the period, it said.

 

Special Operations surveillance drive were undertaken wherein emphasis on adherence to SOPs, ALAR/ Monsoon circulars, stablised approach for safe landing, review of missed approach – "Go around" policy, presence of cabin crew in cockpit in case of one pilot leaving the cockpit, FOQA and CRM were ensured.

 

The accident was investigated by the Court of Inquiry appointed by the Government which submitted its report in April.

 

A Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council, comprising experts, was also set up with the mandate to strengthen aviation safety environment through synergisation of available expertise in areas of airlines, airworthiness, operations, air navigation, aerodromes, aircraft engineering, human performance.

 

Many of its recommendations and those of the Court of Inquiry are already under implementation, the release said.

 

Following reports of fatigue among pilots, a Committee was set up by the Government to examine the Flight Duty Time Limitations of crew members, which too submitted its report last year.

 

Based on its recommendations, a draft regulation has been prepared which would be finalised shortly.