Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Accidents of IAF Aircraft
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Prataprao  Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 359

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th  March, 2020

## ACCIDENTS OF IAF AIRCRAFT

## *359. SHRIMATI RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI: SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of accidents of aircraft of the Indian Air Force took place during the last three years and the current year so far;
- (b) whether there is any increase in the number of such accidents and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  compensation/assistance  provided  to  the  families  of  the  deceased  persons  in such accidents; and
- (d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for reduction of such accidents?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh राजनाथ स िंह )

(a) to (d):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  359  FOR  ANSWER  ON  18.03.2020 REGARDING 'ACCIDENTS OF IAF AIRCRAFT'.

- (a) The details of IAF aircraft crashed in last three financial years (2016-17 to 201819) and current financial year 2019-20 year wise is placed as Annexure I .
- (b)  No, Sir. There is a reduction in number of aircraft accidents.
- (c)    The  Liberalised  family  pension  and  insurance  as  per  existing  rules  is  given  to Next of Kin of the deceased person.
- (d)  IAF  has  taken  various  steps  to  reduce  such  accidents.  The  details  of  Aerospace Safety measures taken are placed as Annexure II .

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ANNEXURE-I  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 359 FOR ANSWER ON 18.03.2020 REGARDING 'ACCIDENTS OF IAF AIRCRAFT'.

DETAILS OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS IN FINANCIAL YEAR (2016-17 to 2018-19) AND CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-20 (UPTO 29 FEBRUARY, 2020)

| S No       | Financial Year   | Date Occurrence   | of            | Aircraft Type   | Aircraft No    | Cause          |
|------------|------------------|-------------------|---------------|-----------------|----------------|----------------|
| FIGHTER    | FIGHTER          | FIGHTER           | FIGHTER       | FIGHTER         | FIGHTER        | FIGHTER        |
| 1          | 2016-17          | 12 May 2016       | MiG-21M       | MiG-21M         | C-1601         | TD             |
| 2          | 2016-17          | 13 June 2016      | MiG-27-UPG    | MiG-27-UPG      | TU-657         | TD             |
| 3          | 2016-17          | 10 Sep 2016       | MiG-21 T-69   | MiG-21 T-69     | U-2140         | HE(S) + HE(A)  |
| 4          | 2016-17          | 13 Sep 2016       | Jaguar        | Jaguar          | JS-209         | BS + HE(A)     |
| 5          | 2016-17          | 03 Oct 2016       | Jaguar        | Jaguar          | JT-055         | HE(A)          |
| 6          | 2016-17          | 15 Mar 2017       | SU-30-MKI     | SU-30-MKI       | SB-149         | TD+ HE(A)      |
| 7          | 2017-18          | 23 May 2017       | SU-30-MKI     | SU-30-MKI       | SB-063         | HE(A) + HE(SS) |
| 8          | 2017-18          | 06 Jul 2017       | MiG-23-UB     | MiG-23-UB       | MS-3472        | HE(A)          |
| 9          | 2018-19          | 05 Jun 2018       | Jaguar        | Jaguar          | JS-219         | TD             |
| 10         | 2018-19          | 18 Jul 2018       | MiG-21 T-75   | MiG-21 T-75     | C-2242         | HE(A)          |
| 11         | 2018-19          | 04 Sep 2018       | MiG-27 UPG    | MiG-27 UPG      | TU-643         | TD + HE (S)    |
| 12         | 2018-19          | 28 Jan 2019       | Jaguar        | Jaguar          | JS-198         | TD+ HE (HAL)   |
| 13         | 2018-19          | 12 Feb 2019       | MiG-27 UPG    | MiG-27 UPG      | TU-633         | TD             |
| 14         | 2018-19          | 08 Mar 2019       | MiG-21- Bison | MiG-21- Bison   | CU-2291        | BS             |
| 15         | 2018-19          | 31 Mar 2019       | MiG-21 UPG    | MiG-21 UPG      | TU-607         | TD             |
| 16         | 2019-20          | 08 Aug 2019       | SU-30 MKI     | SU-30 MKI       | SB-062         | UI(HE(A))      |
| 17         | 2019-20          | 25 Sep 2019       | MiG-21 T-69   | MiG-21 T-69     | U-3286         | UI(TD)         |
| HELICOPTER | HELICOPTER       | HELICOPTER        | HELICOPTER    | HELICOPTER      | HELICOPTER     | HELICOPTER     |
| 1          | 2016-17          | 19 Oct 2016       |               | Mi-17 V5        | ZP-5127        | HE(A)          |
| 2          | 2016-17          | 15 Mar 2017       |               | Chetak          | Z-1006         | TD             |
| 3          | 2018-19          | 03 Apr 2018       |               | Mi-17 V5        | ZP-5132        | HE(A)          |
| 4          | 2018-19          | 23 May 2018       |               | Cheetah         | ZB-3461        | HE(A)          |
| TRANSPORT  | TRANSPORT        | TRANSPORT         | TRANSPORT     | TRANSPORT       | TRANSPORT      | TRANSPORT      |
| 1          | 2016-17          | 22 Jul 2016       |               | An-32           | K-2743         | UR             |
| 2          | 2019-20          | 03 Jun 2019       |               | An-32           | KA-2752        | HE(A)          |
| TRAINER    | TRAINER          | TRAINER           | TRAINER       | TRAINER         | TRAINER        | TRAINER        |
| 1          | 2016-17          | 04 Aug 2016       | HAWKMK-132    | HAWKMK-132      | A-3642         | HE(O)          |
| 2          | 2017-18          | 28 Sep 2017       | Kiran Mk-1A   | Kiran Mk-1A     | U-798          | HE(A)          |
| 3          | 2017-18          | 24 Nov 2017       | Kiran Mk-1A   | Kiran Mk-1A     | U-762          | HE(A)          |
| 4          | 2017-18          | 20 Mar 2018       | HAWKMK-132    | HAWKMK-132      | A-3675         | HE(A)          |
| 5          | 2018-19          | 28 Nov 2018       | Kiran Mk-1A   | Kiran Mk-1A     | U-831          | HE(A)          |
| 6          | 2018-19          | 19 Feb 2019       | HAWKMK-132    | HAWKMK-132      | A-3671& A-3679 | HE(A)          |

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## ANNEXURE-II REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 359 FOR ANSWER ON 18.03.2020 REGARDING 'ACCIDENTS OF IAF AIRCRAFT'.

## STEPS TAKEN TO AVOID/REDUCE THE RECURRENCE OF ACCIDENTS

1. Implementation of Expert Committee  on Aircraft  Accidents  (EXCOM) Recommendations. An expert committee was constituted by MoD in December, 2004 to identify the root cause of aircraft accidents and to prepare a comprehensive action plan so as to reduce the losses to a minimum. The committee finalized its report in May, 2005 and the recommendations of EXCOM have been implemented by IAF.
2. The areas where significant improvements have been made are described below:-
- a) Invigoration  of  Aerospace  Safety  Organizations .  The  Aerospace  Safety Organization  has  been  revamped  and  executive  independence  of  the  Aerospace Safety branch has been ensured at all levels by placing the functionaries directly under the Commanders. The safety functionaries in a station are specifically chosen and  posted  to  ensure  effectiveness  of  accident  prevention  strategy.  A  pool  of officers with specialist training on accident investigation is being maintained at Air HQ and all Cat-I accidents are investigated by them.
- b) Database of Accidents & Incidents . A database of all accidents and incidents  in  IAF  has  been  created  and  maintained  in  Directorate  of  Aerospace Safety  that  can  be  accessed  by  safety  functionaries  of  all  Air  Force  Stations, Command HQs and Air HQ. This helps in real time monitoring and reporting of incidents and accidents. Accident Prevention Strategy at each base is being worked out by studying the trend of accidents/incidents specific to the fleet and place.
- c) Revised  Training  Methodology .  The  training  methodology  of  aircrew  and technicians has been reviewed. Stage-wise training of pilots has been implemented for enhancing the quality of training. New Basic Trainer (Pilatus) and Advanced Jet Trainer  (Hawk-132)  have  been  inducted  for  enhancing  the  quality  of  training. Emphasis has been laid on effective training of technicians in TETTRA (Technical Type Training) Schools to enhance their skill and knowledge.
- d) Simulators .   Simulators  have  been  inducted  to  impart  training  of  aircrew  in realistic environment  without increasing the risk involved in actual flying. Simulators are mandatorily procured for all new aircraft inductions. HPHC (High Performance Human Centrifuge) and DISO (Disorientation) Simulators have been procured  for  the  conduct  of  OPTRAM  (Operational  Training  in  Aerospace Medicine) courses for all operational aircrew and flight cadets. Such training has resulted in a marked reduction in the incidents/accidents of disorientation and 'GLoc' (G Induced Loss of Consciousness) in aircrew.

- e) Air  Force  System  on  Error  Management  (AFSEM)  &  Other  Measures . AFSEM is an online tool which helps IAF in recognizing errors with potential to cause accidents and institute timely remedial measures. Concepts like Operational Risk  Management  (ORM)  and  Crew  Resource  Management  (CRM)  are  being followed  to  integrate  safety  aspects  into  operations.  Accident  Probability  Factor (APF)  calculator,  a  software  based  tool,  is  utilized  to  identify  risks  and  hazards specific to the aircraft fleets and operational environment at IAF bases with a view to formulate effective accident prevention programme.
3. Court of Inquiry . Every aircraft accident in the IAF is followed by an investigation by a Court of Inquiry and institution of remedial measures based on the recommendations. The accident/incident reporting procedure has been further streamlined. Enhanced interactions with DI (Defect Investigation) agencies like NAL (National Aerospace Laboratory), DMRL (Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory) and HAL have resulted in qualitative improvement in defect investigation of aircraft components involved in accidents.
4.  Visits  by  Senior  Functionaries .  Regular  visits  to  various  flying  stations  in  each command are equally undertaken by senior Aerospace Safety functionaries of IAF to promote safety awareness amongst operators and support service providers at the field level as well as to obtain grass root level inputs that need to be addressed to strengthen aerospace safety environment.
5.  Operating  Environment .  Improvements  in  operating  infrastructure  have  been catered for in new inductions as well as upgradation of facilities of existing fleet.
6. Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) . HFACS has been introduced during accident investigation to identify root cause of human error and use it in prevention of similar accidents.
7. Aviation Psychology .  Aviation Psychology Module is being conducted as part of Aerospace Safety Courses at the Institute of Aerospace Safety for aircrew as one of the means to curb 'Human Error' accidents.
8.  Bird Hazard Management Measures .  Bird  Hazard Management Measures have been  revamped  to  suit  the  local  conditions.  In  all  incidents  of  bird  strikes,  the  bird remnants are sent to Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) for identifying the species and thus helping in taking species specific preventive measures to avoid further incidents. The other measures instituted are studies undertaken by the Ornithology  cell  and  close  monitoring  of  bird  activities.  A  case  for  procurement  of Avian radars (Bird Detection and Monitoring radars) has been taken up to strengthen bird hazard control measures.  IAF  has  inducted  Microlite  aircraft  for  survey of birds and to enhance bird

hazard management measures. IAF has initiated long term insect study of airfield to control bird activity.  Constant  liaison  is  being  maintained  with  civil  counterparts  to share best practices.

9. Enhancement of Aerospace Safety Awareness . Impetus has been given to enhancement  of  awareness  on  human  factors  and  error-prone  situations  amongst aircrew  through  dissemination  of  information  on  past  accidents,  voluntary  error reporting by personnel and improving the standard and content of the aerospace safety magazine. Command Aerospace Safety Inspection Officers' Conferences/Workshops are conducted regularly that provide a forum for exchange of ideas on accident/incident prevention. Representatives from sister services, OEM and National Laboratories are also invited in these conferences to discuss aerospace safety issues.
10. Aerospace Safety Courses . Institute  of  Aerospace  Safety  conducts  dedicated classes on aerospace safety to inculcate safety culture and to strengthen the Aerospace Safety Organization in terms of prevention strategies and investigations. Further, the intake for aerospace safety courses has been increased to spread more awareness about aerospace safety.
11. Analytical Studies/ Quality Audits . Analytical studies are carried out to identify critical  vulnerabilities  of  aircraft  and  equipment.  Regular  theme  based  studies  and joint quality audits of aircraft fleets are being carried out to identify vulnerable areas and institute effective remedial measures. Quality audits of aircraft production/overhaul at HAL divisions/BRDs (Base Repair Depot) are conducted, as and when necessary.
12.  Sharing  of  Aerospace  Safety  Information .  Sharing  of  Aerospace  Safety Information between IAF/Army/IN/Coast Guard/HAL/CEMILAC/DGAQA has been introduced  for  better/faster  trend  analysis  of  failures  and  speedy  implementation  of remedial measures.
13. MoU with Foreign Countries . Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed  for  sharing  of  aerospace  safety  information  with  friendly  foreign  countries. Indian Aerospace Safety team visits other countries to enhance our understanding of Aerospace Safety measures. Similarly, Aerospace Safety teams from other countries visit  Indian  for  interaction  and  sharing  the  information  on  Aerospace  Safety  on common operating fleets.
14.  Interaction  Visits/FOD  Audits .  The  Aerospace  Safety  Branch  carries  out interaction visits to various flying bases to assist the station in identifying hazards and resolving the issues. IAF regularly carries out FOD audits of its bases to reduce cases of FOD damage.

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