AAIB seeks standard pilot training
Probe agency AAIB has recommended that aviation regulator DGCA should ask all flying training organisations to adopt a standardised training syllabus depending on licence categories and ensure trainee pilots have adequately practised all critical exercises and emergency procedures before operating solo flights.
The recommendations are part of the probe agency’s 61-page final report into the crash of a four-seater Cessna 172S trainer aircraft operated by Chimes Aviation Academy while landing at Guna airfield in Madhya Pradesh on March 6, 2024. The student pilot who was operating the plane suffered minor bruises. In a report dated September 29, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the accident occurred when the student pilot could not stop the aircraft within the runway, and subsequently, when a go-around was attempted, it overran and hit a tree on a steep slope, resulting in damage to the aircraft. Unstabilised approach, late decision to initiate go-around and no timely communication from the air traffic controller, even after a very long flare, have been cited as among the contributory factors for the accident. Guna airfield is an ‘uncontrolled airfield’ while an air traffic control tower has been set up by Sha Shib Aviation Academy for flight coordination. Coming out with various safety recommendations, AAIB said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may suggest all FTOs to assess their runway characteristics and, in case hostile terrain or steep slope beyond the runway end is present, they may be advised to take proactive actions to stop overrun.
Another recommendation is that DGCA should ask all FTOs to devise a comprehensive training syllabus as per the category of license for standardisation of syllabus across all such organisations.
“DGCA may issue instructions to all FTOs to ensure that trainees have adequately practised all critical exercises and emergency procedures prior to being authorised for solo flights,” the report said.
To Chimes Aviation Academy, the probe agency said it must issue instructions directing trainees to initiate a go-around without hesitation whenever the aircraft is not properly configured or aligned for a safe landing.
Among other suggestions, AAIB has said that Sha Shib Flying Academy may caution crew members of other organisations regarding a significant downward slope towards runway 14 at Guna airfield and that the FTO must ensure that no aircraft touches down beyond half of the runway, where the negative slope adversely affects braking. Guna airfield is owned by the Madhya Pradesh Government and leased to Sha Shib Flying Academy, which is an FTO.
