Lok Sabha Question No. 1955 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Accidents at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1955 (To be answered on the September 2020) 22nd

## ACCIDENTS AT AIRPORTS

## 1955. SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the passengers and the ground handling staff had a close save when AT-922 flight collided with the aerobridge at Mumbai airport and if s0, the details thereof;
- which resulted several casualties recently and if s0, the details thereof;
- (6) whether the Government is aware of the incident in Kochi airport where the plane skidded off the runway
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any inquiry over the incident and if so, the details of the findings thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to prevent such accidents in future?

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) Mls Air India B777 aircraft VT-ALG while operating flight AI 922 on 01.07.2016 had a collision with the aerobridge during taxi in to stand No. V\_ 14 resulting in damage to left engine cowling:

(6) Mls Air India Express Ltd aircraft B-737 reg VT-AXH was involved in an accident on 07.08.2020 at Kozhikode airport Out of the total of 190 persons on board the aircraft, 21 persons (including the 2 pilots) succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident:

The investigation of the incident revealed that the Visual Docking Guidance System for the Stand No V-14 was unserviceable. Manual marshalling was done to guide aircraft for parking in the The marshaller did not ascertain about the type of aircraft before commencing marshalling of the aircraft; He guided the aircraft beyond the stop The aircraft crossed its stop and the engine came in contact with the Aerobridge resulting in damage to the engine cowling: bay. point: point

- (c) The Director General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)

2017 has appointed an Investigator-in-Charge assisted by other Investigatoes tc inquire into the circumstances %f the Air India Express accident at Kozhikode Airport on 7th August, 2020 by order dated 13.08.2020 and submit the report to AAIB preferably within five months from the date of order: The Investigator-in-Charge will #etermine the probable cause and contributory factors leading to this accident

@) Mandatory provision of Runway End Safety Area (RESA) and its periodic maintenance aS per ICAO requirements d) The following safety measures have already been mandated by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to avert such accidents:

(i) Emphasis on regular maintenance of the runway strip to prevent the soil erosion:

(iv) Instructions have been issued for the Pilot Monitoring to identify the Suibtle incapacitation Of the Pilot flying and procedure for taking over of the flight controls:

(ii) Mandatory friction testing at regular intervals

(v) For enhancing the operational safety, instructions have been issued for encouraging crew to go-around if for any reason; the approach is unstablised and same is non-punitive.

(vi) Instructions have been issued for all the airline operators to establish the tail wind and cross wind limitations based on the aircraft manufacturer guidance taking into consideration the runway surface conditions and weather conditions