Category: Flight Safety

Beyond the Control: Is Helicopter Operation More Risky?

Anil Goyal

The preliminary finding of the tri-service investigation into the fatal crash of the Mi-17V5, which led to the death of all 14 who were on board, including Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as the cause of the accident. The inquiry team said the accident was a result of the helicopter entering into the clouds due to an unexpected change in the weather conditions in the valley in Tamil Nadu, where it crashed. The change of weather led to spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), a statement issued by the defence ministry has said.

Avoiding landing at the wrong airport; is it so demanding?

Anil Goyal

Geographic disorientation in aviation operations results from the failure of an aircrew to recognize and/or maintain the desired position relative to the external ground and airspace environment. Becoming lost during flight, intruding inadvertently into unauthorized airspace, selecting a wrong airway, landing on the wrong runway, and approaching the wrong airport–with or without actual landing–are some examples of inflight geographic disorientation.

Die Hard Spirit

Anil Goyal

If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake. Confucius Yet, many times when a mistake is made, people try to pretend that it did not happen or attempt to justify the wrong position or try to cover it up, which leads to additional mistakes. Quite often, more damage is done to credibility, relationships, trust and integrity when we attempt to cover it by lying. Of course, there is another choice when a mistake is made—admit it, learn from it and correct it. There…

When it isn’t the Safest form of Travel….

Anil Goyal

On 7 August 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344, a COVID-19repatriation flight, part of the Vande Bharat Mission from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Kozhikode, India, overshot the runway during landing run at Calicut International Airport. The aircraft fell into a gorge killing 16 passengers, and both pilots. The remaining four cabin crew and 168 passengers survived, of whom over 100 were injured. A very tragic accident. The accident has rattled the nation, the aviation community, and especially all the pilots in particular. Flying is not inherently dangerous but it is terribly unforgiving. The aviation industry which was fraught with adversity and at times…

The Story of Missing Locking Wire…

Anil Goyal

Failure to properly secure aircraft components can compromise powerplant and control system operation, leading to system and component failures. Properly secure aircraft components with safety wire, ensure that hardware locking mechanisms are properly installed on your aircraft, and check them often to confirm they are taut and ready for flight

Engine Failure

Anil Goyal

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced pilot, an engine failure in-flight is a pilot’s worst nightmare. If it occurs in a single-engine piston aircraft or a single-engine jet plane, there are only two ways out: trying to restart the engine, or making a forced landing. The other option of ejection is available to military pilots only.  An engine failure in flight requires a swift reaction by the pilot in command to maximize the flight of an airplane after the event has occurred. Pilots do this by acquiring a glide…