The Hindu Editorial Analysis
07 February 2025
The primary lessons from the Reagan air crash
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS 3: Disaster Management – Aviation Safety
Context
- The Reagan accident underscores multiple factors leading to aviation tragedies.
- Investigative agencies risk distraction from core issues.
Introduction
- Date of Incident: January 29, 2025
- Collision Details: A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines CRJ-700, resulting in 67 fatalities.
- Immediate Reactions: Politicians, including President Donald Trump, prematurely blamed former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for air safety lapses, despite Trump’s own tenure.
Pressures and Investigative Challenges in India
- Mangaluru Air Accident (May 2010):
- Politicians claimed compliance with ICAO standards post-accident.
- Investigations led by a retired Air Marshal overlooked significant regulatory violations, blaming only the pilot.
- Lack of Transparency:
- Indian reports often lack crucial data from flight recorders.
- Comparatively, U.S. investigations provide open access to radar and air traffic control data, promoting transparency.
The American Airlines Flight Incident
- Runway Change: The American Airlines flight was rerouted by air traffic control.
- Helicopter’s Visual Confirmation: The helicopter pilot misidentified another flight as the American Airlines flight, leading to confusion.
- Night Flying Challenges: Limited visibility at night contributed to the misidentification.
- Collision Avoidance System: Inhibited below 1,000 feet, which may have contributed to the accident.
- Human Factors:
- Press-on-itis: A fixation on a task can impair judgment, especially under fatigue and stress.
- Air Traffic Control Staffing: Only one controller was on duty at the time, which is less than usual.
Historical Comparisons
- Charkhi Dadri Collision (1996):
- A significant crash with 349 fatalities; the pilot was blamed despite investigation tampering.
- Recent South Korea Crash (2024):
- Similar issues with compliance and blank flight data recorders were noted.
Other Notable Incidents
- Indigo Flights Incident (January 7, 2022):
- Two planes nearly collided due to miscommunication among air traffic controllers; the incident was not reported.
- Air India Express Flight (October 11, 2024):
- A captain praised for poor judgment during a hydraulic failure incident, highlighting a lack of accountability.
Conclusion
- Public Awareness: The mid-air tragedy highlights the need for informed public discourse on aviation safety, as political agendas can compromise safety standards.