MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) and (b): On 18.01.2009,Jet Airways flight 913 was asked to go around by the Controller
because runway was not vacated by previously landed China Air aircraft CES 563.Jet Air 819
was 6 miles from the touchdown when China Air aircraft landed.The distance between two aircraft
was sufficient.The landed China Air aircraft took more time in vacating the runways so the Air
Traffic Controller asked the Jet Air aircraft on final to make a go around/missed approach as
the runway was not clear.
(c):The number of air accidents/serious incidents that took place in the country during the
last three years i.e.2006,2007,2008 and current year till date are 21,14,11 and 4 respectively.
(d): No such assessment is made.
(e): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Civil Aviation Requirements making
it mandatory from January,2003 the installation of Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS)
on aeroplanes,which enables the pilots to have a position picture of all aircraft in his vicinity
their reference height and distance from his aircraft.It also guides the pilot to take evasive
action,whenever any aircraft comes in proximity to his aircraft,to avoid conflict.Mono - pulse
Secondary Surveillance radars have since been installed at major airports in the country to
provide altitude information to the Air Traffic Controllers thereby enabling improved air traffic
management and surveillance.Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) system has also been provided.
Air Traffic Management service is also being modernised to include air traffic conflict warning
in the system.Non RVSM aircraft have been restricted to flying in RVSM airspace (above 29,000 feet).
Flexible use of airspace to reduce traffic congestion in the airspace has been implemented.Further,
based on the investigations carried out on all the reported air proximity incidents,the following
additional measures have also been taken:-
(i) Regular proficiency checks for Air Traffic Controllers and pilots;
(ii) Specific co-ordination procedures for transfer of traffic from one unit to the other, which
are reviewed periodically;and
(iii) Whenever required, Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) are given corrective training.
(iv) Standard operating procedure/co- ordination procedure,whenever required are modified/changed
or established based on the investigation.
