Aviation body to audit helicopter services

Taking note of the shocking frequency of chopper accidents in Indian skies of late, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has decided to undertake inspections of all chopper and helipad services

Aviation body to audit helicopter services

After several fatal accidents claimed the lives of top-notch bureaucrats and army officials, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has finally been spurred into action.u00a0 The DGCA has decided to audit the operations of all chopper services -including Pawan Hans - and helipad services across the country.

Faulty wings? An officer inspects the wreckage in Rajasthan's Sirohi
district, on May 14. pic/AFP

This decision came in the wake of five chopper crashes in the span of the last five months, which collectively claimed the lives of a chief minister, army officials, top officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) and several others.u00a0 "We have ordered a detailed enquiry into the recent crash at Sirohi in Rajsthan. We have also appointed a team of experts to audit all the chopper and helipad services in India. The expert committee will submit its report soon," said the DGCA chief, E K Bharatbhushan, while in conversation with MiD DAY.

The Union Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi too echoed Bharatbhushan's concerns, saying, "The safety of passengers is our top priority. This is a very serious issue and we will take all the necessary steps to ensure it."
The special audit expert committee will also audit India's largest helicopter company, Pawan Hans, that has recently been embroiled in controversy, due the crash of two of its choppers, both in Tawang area of Arunachal Pradesh, which together claimed the lives of 22 people, including that of the Arunachal Pradesh CM Dorjee Khandu. "The team will also audit the operations of Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL).

We have been in regular talks with the Pawan Hans officials with a view to making things better and safer," Bharatbhushan added.u00a0 Pawan Hans is India's largest helicopter company, which maintains and operates its fleet of 41 helicopters. The aviation minister also confirmed that talks with the officials at Pawan Hans are in progress. "We held meetings with Pawan Hans officials, in order to ensure that safer services are offered to passengers," Ravi said.u00a0

Expertspeak
Experts have revealed that the improper handling and inadequate maintenance of choppers is one of the key reasons behind the frequency of accidents. "Each of the companies offer their services in places beyond their headquarters. But the operations taking place in areas beyond the headquarters are not monitored carefully.

According to aviation guidelines, only an engineer can issue a Flight Release Certificate (FRC), but there is rampant violation of this rule, with technicians issuing the certificates in some cases. If the DGCA monitors these matters carefully, any untoward incident in future will be avoided," said Captain Akram Beigh, an aviation expert.

Doomed?
Four Pawan Hans helicopters that met with accidents in the last 10 months:
April 29, 2011
Model: AS350 B-3
Casualties: Dorjee Khandu and four others
April 19, 2011
Model: Mil Mi-17
Casualties: 17
August 6, 2010 Model: 24-seater MI-72
Casualties: Dhananjoy Roy
December 18, 2010
Casualties: None

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels