Directorate General of Civil Aviation to take action against those operators who will fail to report bird hits
Directorate General of Civil Aviation to take action against those operators who will fail to report bird hits
Nobody want to get caught watching birds but if you are an airline operator you cannot just have an eyeful and fly away.
Alarmed over increasing incidents of both scheduled and unscheduled airline operators concealing incidents of bird hits, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has warned the operators of action. The regulator has asked all of them to send quarterly reports with an aim to augmenting safety in the skies.
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"Actual bird incidents are much more than those reported, as many of the bird strikes go unreported. The data is of prime importance for the prevention of accidents in the future," said the official, who wished not to be identified.
Also, bird strike poses threat to safety of aircraft and passengers which results in expensive repairs to aircrafts, delays and losses to operators, he added.u00a0
Data regarding bird strikes also requires to be reported to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) by operators in various countries across the world.
According to Delhi airport sources, the airport witnessed 67 bird-hit cases in 2008 while it was only 30 in 2007.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Around 90 per cent of all bird strike occur on or in the vicinity of an airport. "The data is very important for bird and wildlife management on and around airports. Based on reporting of the incidents to the local authorities/ airports, control measures are initiated by airport and civic authorities," he added.
The regulator has directed that pilot in command will immediately inform local air traffic service unit whenever potential bird hazard is observed. "After landing he will have to submit a report at the airport. If flight Captain is not available the operator will have to submit the detailed report within seven days," the official added.
Complete damage
An Air India CRJ series aircraft was hit by a bird at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International, Ahemadabad a few days ago. The aircraft is awaiting an engine change. According to airlines officials, this is a one-of-its-kind incident where the engine of the aircraft got damaged, and needs to be changed. Generally, a few parts get damaged which are replaced. In this case the airline officials say the engine of the aircraft has to be changed which would cost several crore rupees.
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