US investigators, including the NTSB and FAA, are probing the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad under the 1944 Chicago Convention’s Annex 13. As the aircraft’s State of Design and Manufacture, the US participates to ensure a thorough investigation, alongside India’s AAIB, enhancing global aviation safety.
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Picture Courtesy: INDIAN EXPRESS
The presence of investigators from the United States and the United Kingdom at the Air India AI 171 crash probe in Ahmedabad, is a standard procedure rooted in international agreement.
The foundation for international civil aviation is the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention.
Core Principle => Signed in 1944, this treaty establishes the framework for international aviation. Its aim is to ensure the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation around the world.
The Convention created the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, to oversee and standardize the technical and operational aspects of aviation. All 193 member states, including India, agree to follow the standards and practices set by the ICAO.
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About International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) It was established in 1947 by the Chicago Convention of 1944. Its headquarters are located in Montreal, Canada. It develops and sets international standards and recommended practices (SARPs) for aviation. These cover all technical and operational aspects of international civil aviation It serves as a platform for cooperation among its member states in all areas of civil aviation. It facilitates discussion and helps resolve disputes. It conducts regular audits of its member states to assess their ability to oversee their airlines and ensure compliance with ICAO standards. |
Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of various countries connected to an aircraft accident.
State of Occurrence => Country where the accident physically takes place. This state is responsible for initiating and leading the investigation. In the case of the Ahmedabad crash, India leads the probe through its Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
State of Registry => Country where the aircraft is registered. For the Air India flight, this is India, as the aircraft has an Indian registration.
State of the Operator => Country where the airline's main business is based. Since Air India is the operator, this state is also India.
State of Design and Manufacture => Countries responsible for the design and production of the aircraft and its key components, like engines.
State of Nationality => A country that has a special interest in the accident due to the death of its citizens can also participate. The presence of UK investigators is explained by the fact that 53 British nationals were victims of the crash.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The Chicago Convention, often mentioned in news, is related to the governance of: A) Maritime trade routes B) International telecommunications C) Civil aviation D) The law of the seas Answer: C Explanation: The Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed in Chicago in 1944 and therefore popularly known as the Chicago Convention, is the single most important agreement in the history of global aviation. Its purpose is to establish the rules and principles for peaceful, safe, and orderly international air transport. |
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