Any plane crash not only causes tragedy, but also creates tremendous pressure for reform. We have hesitated again to get serious about technical and policy reforms that we have neglected
The news of the Air India plane crash, which was flying from Ahmedabad, India to London, UK, has given an extraordinary shock to the world community. Out of 242 people on board, only one person was rescued. Officials said the ship crashed into a hostel of medical students, killing many more.
As the family mourns the incident, investigators are trying to piece together the possible cause of the crash. It is claimed that this is the first incident where a Boeing 787 has crashed in this way. The Air India crash is a matter of collective concern not only for India but also for global aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Authority of India, International Aviation Authority, airline operator Tata Group and shipbuilder Boeing should conduct a sensitive and responsible investigation to address the massive loss of life, the irreparable trauma to the families, the impact on the mental state of air passengers.
Air travel is considered to be the safest mode of travel in the world, but if there is a single technical or human flaw in it, it is a 100% certainty of destruction. So even a small accident gives an unforgettable injury to the society. Aviation, like other areas of technology, has seen revolutionary developments in recent decades.
Advanced navigation, artificial intelligence, fuel-efficient engines are increasing technological role in aircraft flight. However, according to aviation experts, security initiatives are based on traditional laws, mechanisms and monitoring. Even though there is a competition to update the technical capabilities in the ship, the organizations are not ready to make policies accordingly. According to experts, there is a lot of work to be done by regulatory bodies around the world to harmonize the complex systems of aircraft and traditional maintenance and monitoring systems.
Although flying and landing are easier with the help of AI, it has not yet been able to work on the identification and intervention of signs of technical failure. If AI could be made capable of giving early warning along with aircraft alertness, engine health analysis, the loss of Ahmedabad could have been avoided. Therefore, strengthening the security system is the challenge and responsibility of future science.
Post-accident analysis is also often guided by business competition, as is the case with American shipbuilder Boeing after the Air India crash. Boeing's shares fell by 5% in one day due to this question. If the safety debate only causes the share price of Boeing or Airbus to fluctuate instead of holding shipbuilding companies, airline operators and regulatory agencies accountable, the human value will fade again. Therefore, the purpose of investigating such accidents should be inspired by the purpose of reviewing and improving the overall system.
An accident that happens anywhere in the world makes the Nepali community more agitated because Nepal is in the most difficult airspace in the world. Mountainous geography, unpredictable weather and small airports further complicate aviation security in Nepal. That is why there have been 108 plane crashes in Nepal so far, in which 959 people have lost their lives. Investigations after plane crashes also lack sufficient seriousness.
When a pilot died in an air crash, the original question of reform is being overshadowed because reports are coming out saying that it was a humanitarian cause. It is about to be a year since the Sourya Air flight to Pokhara crashed at Tribhuvan Airport. However, the detailed investigation report has not yet come. A
report not only points out errors, but also gives directions for improvement. But if it takes a year for the report to come, it is clear that we are compromising on basic issues that need to be improved. Due to our technical, political and geopolitical weaknesses, the European Union has banned Nepali airlines from European destinations since 2013. This has deeply affected Nepal's aviation reputation. But it seems, all this does not make our government worried. Another issue that is always raised by reports after
accidents is that Nepal lacks adequate and quality training mechanisms for pilots, engineers, and ATC officers. Even now, pilots are forced to rely on foreign training centers. Absence of simulator exercises, psychological evaluation and structural incentives within the country have also increased the challenge in air safety.
Any plane crash not only causes tragedy, but also creates tremendous pressure for reform. We have hesitated again to get serious about technical and policy reforms that we have neglected. The Nepalese society and the state of Nepal have expressed their deep condolences for the accident in the neighborhood. However, if it does not take initiatives to enrich its aviation security, such harmony will be only ritualistic.
