Description

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Context:

A tragic Air India aircraft crash near Ahmedabad airport has prompted the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to launch a formal probe, following global ICAO standards.

About the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB):

Aspect	Details
Type	Statutory Investigative Body
Headquarters	New Delhi
Parent Ministry	Ministry of Civil Aviation
Established On	30 July 2012
Legal Basis	Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017
Global Linkage	Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention (1944), under ICAO
Jurisdiction	Indian airspace and Indian-registered aircraft
Scope of Investigation	- Aircraft with AUW > 2,250 kg - All turbojet aircraft - Other cases if necessary for public safety
Core Functions	- Investigates and classifies aviation occurrences (accidents, serious incidents, incidents) - Prepares final public reports - Sends safety recommendations to DGCA/foreign regulators - Conducts safety studies - Provides legal support under Rule 12 of the 2017 Rules
Report Submission	Final reports submitted after the Director General’s approval; also shared with ICAO and concerned States
Safety Recommendations	Sent to relevant domestic/foreign regulators for systemic safety improvements
Legal Support	Provides assistance to courts and assessors as mandated

India’s Aviation Growth Trajectory

Passenger Traffic: India handled over 152 million domestic passengers in FY 2023-24, which is growing 21% from year to year.
Cargo Market: India is the sixth largest air cargo market globally, which is handling 3.33 million tonnes of freight in 2022-23.
Airport infrastructure: More than 150 operating airports, Udan (Udein Desh Ke Aam Nagrik) scheme, 75 have been added in the last 9 years.
Employment: The sector directly and indirectly supports more than 4 million jobs.

What Does A Black Box Do?

Aspect	Details
Components of Black Box	1. Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Captures cockpit audio (pilot conversations, alarms, engine sounds) 2. Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Records flight parameters like altitude, airspeed, heading, vertical acceleration, pitch and roll angles
Location in Aircraft	Installed in the tail section of the aircraft (least impacted during crashes)
Crash Survival Capabilities
Material	Titanium or stainless steel casing
Impact Resistance	Can withstand forces up to 3,400 g
Fire Resistance	Can endure temperatures of 1,100°C for at least 60 minutes
Pressure Resistance	Withstands deep-sea pressure up to 6,000 meters

Source: Livemint.com

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. In light of the recent Air India aircraft crash near Ahmedabad, examine the role and mandate of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in ensuring aviation safety in India. Also, discuss the significance of black box data in aviation accident investigations. (250 words).