Baramati plane crash: AAIB recommends directions for VFR flights, ensure safety standards

Mumbai: Based on initial findings into the devastating air crash in Baramati, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issue necessary directions to all operators conducting Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights to uncontrolled airfields, requiring them to strictly adhere to the established standard operating procedures.

It also asked for necessary directions may also be issued to all the aerodrome operators/organizations responsible for handling the aerodrome services at the uncontrolled airfields to ensure that the flying operations (including non-scheduled/private/charter operations) in the airfield is allowed only when the prevailing meteorological conditions are within the criteria laid down in the relevant DGCA regulations.

It is recommended that, DGCA may issue specific directions to all the stakeholders responsible to manage and maintain the uncontrolled airfields to ensure that required safety standards are maintained at the airport for safe aircraft operations - and these much be checked during audit/surveillance.

The AAIB recommended that DGCA may take necessary measures to enhance the landing aids along with basic meteorological facility at these airports to cater for large number of non-scheduled/chartered flying, including VIP flights, being carried out at these airports apart from flying training activities.

It is recommended that DGCA may check the feasibility of licensing these aerodromes for conduct of safe and regulated flying operations.